Assessment of Fungal Lytic Enzymatic Extracts Produced Under Submerged Fermentation as Enhancers of Entomopathogens' Biological Activity.

The application of enzymes in agricultural fields has been little explored. One potential application of fungal lytic enzymes (chitinases, lipases, and proteases) is as an additive to current biopesticides to increase their efficacy and reduce the time of mortality. For this, a screening of lytic overproducer fungi under submerged fermentation with a chemical-defined medium was performed. Then, the enzymatic crude extract (ECE) was concentrated and partially characterized. This characterization consisted of measuring the enzymatic activity (lipase, protease and, chitinase) and determining the enzyme stability after storage at temperatures of - 80, - 20 and, 4 °C. And lastly, the application of these concentrated enzymatic crude extracts (C-ECE) as an enhancer of spores-based fungal biopesticide was proven. Beauveria were not as good producers of lytic enzymes as the strains from Trichoderma and Metarhizium. The isolate M. robertsii Mt015 was selected for the co-production of chitinases and proteases; and the isolate T. harzianum Th180 for co-production of chitinases, lipases, and proteases. The C-ECE of Mt015 had a protease activity of 18.6 ± 1.1 U ml-1, chitinase activity of 0.28 ± 0.01 U ml-1, and no lipase activity. Meanwhile, the C-ECE of Th180 reached a chitinase activity of 0.75 U ml-1, lipase activity of 0.32 U ml-1, and protease activity of 0.24 U ml-1. Finally, an enhancing effect of the enzymatic extracts of M. robertsii (66.7%) and T. harzianum (43.5%) on the efficacy of B. bassiana Bv064 against Diatraea saccharalis larvae was observed. This work demonstrates the non-species-specific enhancing effect of enzymatic extracts on the insecticidal activity of conidial-based biopesticides, which constitutes a contribution to the improvement of biological control agents' performance.

Oral mucormycosis associated with COVID-19 and diabetes mellitus: Case report and literature review / Mucormicosis oral asociada a COVID-19 y diabetes mellitus: descripción de un caso.

Mucormycosis is an invasive opportunistic fungal infection with high mortality, mainly detected in people with COVID-19, especially those with underlying diseases such as diabetes mellitus. Mucormycosis prevalence is 0.005 to 1.7 cases per million inhabitants, and it has been increasing in countries like India and Pakistan. This mycosis can affect different organs, and clinical manifestations reflect the transmission mechanism. Frequent forms are rhino-orbital-cerebral and pulmonary. This disease should be suspected in patients with necrotic injuries on mucous membranes or skin. We present a case of a patient with diabetes mellitus and diagnosed with oral mucormycosis associated with COVID-19.

La mucormicosis es una infección fúngica oportunista e invasiva, con una elevada tasa de mortalidad. Se ha detectado principalmente en pacientes con COVID-19, especialmente en personas con enfermedades concomitantes como la diabetes mellitus. La prevalencia de las mucormicosis es de 0,005 a 1,7 casos por millón de habitantes y ha ido en aumento en países como India y Pakistán; puede afectar diferentes órganos y su forma clínica refleja el mecanismo de transmisión. Entre las formas frecuentes están la rino-orbital-cerebral y la pulmonar, por ello, debe sospecharse mucormicosis en los pacientes con lesiones necróticas en mucosas o piel. Se presenta el caso de un paciente con antecedentes de diabetes mellitus que fue diagnosticado con mucormicosis oral asociada a la COVID-19.

The Association Between Lean-to-Fat Mass Ratio and Cardiometabolic Abnormalities: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a global health threat, significantly impacting Latin America. Cardiometabolic abnormalities (CAs), encompassing lipid profile, fasting plasma glucose, and blood pressure, contribute to CVD prevalence. Despite high CA incidence, research in Latin America has primarily focused on traditional adiposity indices, overlooking the intricate relationship between fat and lean body components. The study aimed to analyze the association between the lean-to-fat mass ratio (LFMR) and CAs in the adult Peruvian population. Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study using secondary data from the PERU MIGRANT study (2007, 989 participants). The main outcome variable was CA defined as having ≥ 2 out of six metabolic components (high triglycerides, impaired fasting glucose, high blood pressure, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, insulin resistance, and high C-reactive protein). The main exposure variable LFMR was divided into tertiles. A generalized linear model was used with log link and robust variance Poisson family to calculate crude (cPR) and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results: A total of 959 adults aged 30 years or older were included in the analysis (53% females). The prevalence of CA was 50.9%. Females aged 30 - 44 years old showed statistically significant inverse associations for the middle (aPR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.42 - 0.78) and highest (aPR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.14 - 0.35) LFMR categories. Similar trends were seen for females aged 45 - 59 years and ≥ 60 years, and males aged 30 - 44 years, while for males aged 45 - 59 years, only the middle LFMR category was associated. No statistically significant association between LFMR and CA was found among old males. Conclusions: LFMR was negatively associated with CA, among the Peruvian adult population. These findings underscore the relevance of LFMR in understanding cardiometabolic health disparities.

Traditional Mexican dietary pattern and cancer risk among women of Mexican descent.

PURPOSE: To examine the association of a traditional Mexican diet score with risk of total, breast, and colorectal cancer among women of Mexican ethnic descent in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI). METHODS: Participants were WHI enrollees who self-identified as being of Mexican descent. Data from food frequency questionnaires self-administered at study baseline were used to calculate the MexD score, with higher scores indicating greater adherence to an a priori-defined traditional Mexican diet (high in dietary fiber, vegetables, and legumes). Incident cancers were self-reported by participants from 1993 to 2020 and adjudicated by trained physicians. We used multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Among 2,343 Mexican descent women (median baseline age: 59 years), a total of 270 cancers (88 breast, 37 colorectal) occurred during a mean follow-up of 14.4 years. The highest tertile of MexD score was associated with a lower risk of all-cancer incidence (HR: 0.67; 95% CI 0.49-0.91; p-trend: 0.01) and colorectal cancer (HR: 0.38; 95% CI 0.14-0.998; p-trend < 0.05), with each unit increase in the MexD score associated with a 6% lower risk of all-cancer incidence (HR: 0.94; 95% CI 0.88-0.99). There was no statistically significant association with risk of breast cancer. CONCLUSION: Consumption of a traditional Mexican diet was associated with a significantly lower risk of all-cancer incidence and colorectal cancer. Confirmation of these findings in future studies is important, given the prevalence of colorectal cancer and a growing U.S. population of women of Mexican descent.

Validação de escala para mensurar a carga de trabalho das parteiras / Validación de escala para medir la carga de trabajo de las parteras / Validation of a scale to measure the workload of midwives

Resumo Objetivo Validar a elaboração de uma escala para mensurar a carga de trabalho das parteiras com base na Classificação das Intervenções de Enfermagem (NIC) por meio da sua aplicação multicêntrica em diferentes unidades de parto. Métodos Estudo quantitativo, longitudinal, de caráter multicêntrico, realizado em três hospitais universitários gerais da rede pública de saúde. A amostra foi composta por cinquenta parteiras, que examinaram a validade de construto da escala elaborada, com um total de 370 partos. A coleta de dados iniciou-se por meio da escala elaborada ad hoc pela equipe de pesquisa, contabilizando o tempo e o número médio de intervenções NIC, realizadas a cada nascimento. Resultados As parteiras do estudo estão sujeitas a um aumento na sua carga de trabalho quanto ao número e ao tempo médio gasto na realização das NIC em cada parto atendido. Em sua jornada de trabalho (turno de 12 horas), elas destinam 960,61 minutos (16 horas no turno diurno) e 840,29 minutos (14 horas no turno noturno) para executar suas funções na assistência ao parto. Conclusões Os dados indicam a validade da escala elaborada ad hoc, pois esse instrumento reflete a real carga de trabalho vivenciada pelas parteiras do estudo.

Resumen Objetivo Validar la elaboración de una escala para medir la carga de trabajo de las parteras con base en la Clasificación de Intervenciones de Enfermería (NIC) a través de su aplicación multicéntrica en diferentes unidades de parto. Métodos Estudio cuantitativo, longitudinal, de carácter multicéntrico, realizado en tres hospitales universitarios generales del sistema de salud pública. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 50 parteras, que examinaron la validez del constructo de la escala elaborada, con un total de 370 partos. La recopilación de datos comenzó mediante la escala elaborada ad hoc por el equipo de investigación y contabilizó el tiempo y el número de intervenciones NIC realizadas en cada nacimiento. Resultados Las parteras del estudio están sujetas a un aumento de su carga de trabajo con relación al número y al tiempo promedio utilizado en la realización de las NIC en cada parto atendido. En su jornada laboral (turno de 12 horas), destinan 960,61 minutos (16 horas en el turno diurno) y 840,29 minutos (14 horas en el turno nocturno) para ejecutar sus funciones en la atención al parto. Conclusión Los datos indican la validez de la escala elaborada ad hoc, ya que este instrumento refleja la real carga de trabajo que tienen las parteras del estudio.

Abstract Objective To validate the design of a scale to measure the workload of the midwives based on Classification of Nursing Interventions (NIC), through their multicentric application in different delivery units. Methods Quantitative, longitudinal, study multicentric character, conducted in three general university hospitals of the public system of health. The sample consisted of fifty midwives, who examined the validity of the construct of the designed scale, for a total of 370 births. Data collection began through the scale designed ad hoc by the research team, accounting for the time and average number of NIC interventions, performed at each birth. Results The midwives of the study, are subject to an increase in their workload regarding the number and average time spent conducting interventions NIC in each attended delivery. In their working day (12-hour shift) they allocate 960.61 minutes (16 hours in day shift) and 840.29 minutes (14 hours in night shift), to execute their roles in childbirth attendance. Conclusion The data indicate the validity of the scale designed ad hoc, as this instrument reflects the actual workload experienced by the midwives of the study.

Design of an instrument to measure midwives' workloads based on nursing interventions classification / Design de um instrumento para medir a carga de trabalho das parteiras com base nas intervenções de classificação das intervenções de enfermagem / Diseño de un instrumento para medir cargas de trabajo de matronas basado en intervenciones nursing interventions classification

ABSTRACT Objective: to design a qualitative and quantitative scale for measuring specific workloads for obstetric-gynecological nurses (midwives) within the delivery unit and based on the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC). Method: this is a mixed qualitative study through focus groups and quantitative with real measurements of NIC times, descriptive and cross-sectional. From September 2020 to May 2021, an extensive bibliographic search, mapping, ad hoc scale development and configuration of three focus groups were carried out to agree on scale design. Moreover, a comparison was carried out on the subjective perception of the time spent providing care (NIC) during the delivery process by focus groups with respect to times actually measured between March and April 2021 in a delivery unit. Results: the qualitative data obtained in focus groups were analyzed and related, agreeing on the ad hoc measuring instrument's final structure and the importance of having this measuring instrument representative of their work, with standardized language adapted to real health demands. Furthermore, when comparing the subjective and real execution times of each of the NIC, we found a significant correlation when presenting different mean execution times with a variation of 13 minutes. Conclusion: the midwives in this study determined the measurement instrument construct validity for their workloads.

RESUMO Objetivo: elaborar uma escala qualitativa e quantitativa para mensuração de cargas de trabalho específicas para enfermeiras obstétrico-ginecológicas (parteiras) na unidade de parto e baseada na Classificação das Intervenções de Enfermagem (NIC). Método: trata-se de um estudo qualitativo misto por meio de grupos focais e quantitativo com medidas reais de tempos NIC, descritivo e transversal. De setembro de 2020 a maio de 2021, foi realizada uma extensa pesquisa bibliográfica, mapeamento, desenvolvimento de escala ad hoc e configuração de três grupos focais para chegar a um acordo sobre o desenho da escala. Além disso, foi realizada uma comparação da percepção subjetiva do tempo gasto na prestação de cuidados (NIC) durante o processo de parto pelos grupos focais com os tempos efetivamente medidos entre março e abril de 2021 em uma unidade de parto. Resultados: os dados qualitativos obtidos nos grupos focais foram analisados ​​e relacionados, concordando com a estrutura final do instrumento de medição ad hoc e a importância de ter este instrumento de medição representativo do seu trabalho, com linguagem padronizada e adaptada às reais demandas de saúde. Além disso, ao comparar os tempos de execução subjetivos e reais de cada uma das NIC, encontramos correlação significativa ao apresentar tempos médios de execução diferentes com variação de 13 minutos. Conclusão: as parteiras deste estudo determinaram a validade de construto do instrumento de medida para suas cargas de trabalho.

RESUMEN Objetivo: diseñar cualitativa y cuantitativa, una escala de medición de cargas de trabajo, específica para las enfermeras obstétrico-ginecológicas (matronas), dentro de la unidad de partos y basada en la Clasificación de Intervenciones de Enfermería (NIC). Método: estudio mixto cualitativo mediante grupos focales y cuantitativo con mediciones reales de tiempos NIC, descriptivo y transversal. Durante los meses de septiembre de 2020 a mayo de 2021, se realizó una extensa búsqueda bibliográfica, mapeo, elaboración ad hoc de la escala, y la configuración de tres grupos focales, para consensuar el diseño de la escala. Además, se ejecutó una comparativa sobre la percepción subjetiva del tiempo empleado en la prestación de cuidados (intervenciones NIC) durante el proceso de parto por parte de los grupos focales, con respecto a los tiempos medidos realmente entre marzo y abril del 2021 en una unidad de partos. Resultados: se analizaron y relacionaron los datos cualitativos obtenidos de los grupos focales, coincidiendo en la estructura final del instrumento ad hoc de medida, y en la importancia de tener este instrumento de medida representativo de su trabajo, con un leguaje estandarizado y adaptado a la demanda sanitaria real. Además, al comparar los tiempos subjetivos y reales de ejecución de cada una de las intervenciones NIC, encontramos una correlación significativa, al presentar distintos promedios de tiempos de ejecución con una variación de 13 minutos. Conclusión: las matronas de este estudio determinaron la validez del constructo del instrumento de medición para sus cargas de trabajo.

Diagnostic Performance of the Measurement of Skinfold Thickness for Abdominal and Overall Obesity in the Peruvian Population: A 5-Year Cohort Analysis.

The escalating prevalence of overall and abdominal obesity, particularly affecting Latin America, underscores the urgent need for accessible and cost-effective predictive methods to address the growing disease burden. This study assessed skinfold thicknesses' predictive capacity for overall and abdominal obesity in Peruvian adults aged 30 or older over 5 years. Data from the PERU MIGRANT 5-year cohort study were analyzed, defining obesity using BMI and waist circumference. Receiver operating characteristic curves and area under the curve (AUC) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Adults aged ≥ 30 (n = 988) completed the study at baseline, with 47% male. A total of 682 participants were included for overall and abdominal obesity analysis. The 5-year prevalence values for overall and abdominal obesity were 26.7% and 26.6%, respectively. Subscapular skinfold (SS) best predicted overall obesity in men (AUC = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.75-0.88) and women (AUC = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.67-0.88). Regarding abdominal obesity, SS exhibited the highest AUC in men (AUC = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.77-0.89), while SS and the sum of trunk skinfolds showed the highest AUC in women. In secondary analysis excluding participants with type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) at baseline, SS significantly predicted DM2 development in men (AUC = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.58-0.83) and bicipital skinfold (BS) did in women (AUC = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.62-0.84). The findings highlight SS significance as an indicator of overall and abdominal obesity in both sexes among Peruvian adults. Additionally, SS, and BS offer robust predictive indicators for DM2.

Sodium content in commonly consumed away-from-home food in three areas of Metropolitan Lima, Peru. / Contenido de sodio en preparaciones de consumo frecuente fuera del hogar en tres zonas de Lima Metropolitana, Perú.

The aim of this study was to characterize the sodium content in commonly consumed away-from-home food in three areas of Metropolitan Lima. We conducted a cross-sectional study, in which twenty frequently consumed foods were identified according to the place of sale. Sodium content was determined through atomic absorption spectroscopy in preparations collected in 2019. The median sodium content in street food products was 492.36 mg/100g (IQR: 83.93 - 918.78), 471.37 mg/100 g in artisanal food (IQR: 76.04 - 765.39) and 471.06 mg/100 g in fast food (IQR: 115.31 - 695.18). Sixty-five percent of the foods were classified as having high sodium content according to Peruvian regulations, while 30% of the preparations had high sodium content, according to UK parameters. Most food sold and consumed away from home have high sodium content. It is essential to engage all stakeholders involved in food preparation for away-from-home consumption in order to raise awareness and involve them in the promotion of policies aimed at reducing sodium intake.

El objetivo fue caracterizar el contenido de sodio en preparaciones de consumo frecuente fuera del hogar en tres zonas de Lima Metropolitana. Se realizó un estudio transversal para el cual se identificaron veinte preparaciones de consumo frecuente según el lugar de expendio. La determinación del contenido de sodio se obtuvo mediante espectroscopía de absorción atómica en preparaciones recolectadas en el 2019. La mediana del contenido de sodio en productos de venta ambulatoria fue 492,36 mg/100 g (RIQ: 83,93 - 918,78); 471,37 mg/100 g, en preparaciones tradicionales y típicas (RIQ: 76,04 - 765,39); y 471,06 mg/100 g (RIQ: 115,31 - 695,18), en comidas rápidas. El 65% de las preparaciones fueron consideradas altas en sodio según los parámetros peruanos, mientras que el 30% de las preparaciones también presentaron un alto contenido, de acuerdo con los parámetros del Reino Unido. La mayoría de las preparaciones expendidas y consumidas fuera del hogar presentan un elevado contenido de sodio. Es esencial involucrar a todos los actores que participan en la preparación de alimentos para el consumo fuera del hogar, con el fin de sensibilizarlos e incluirlos en la promoción de políticas enfocadas en la reducción del consumo de sodio.

Acute toxicity and quality of life in prostate cancer patients treated with definitive hypofractionated pelvic radiation therapy: a single-center report.

Background: The objective was to report acute toxicity and quality of life in prostate cancer patients treated with definitive hypofractionated pelvic radiation therapy. Materials and methods: Patients were designated candidates for hypofractionated pelvic radiation therapy if biopsy or imaging studies evidenced unfavorable intermediate-risk, high-risk or node-positive disease. Patients were treated using a regimen of 44 Gy to the nodal areas and simultaneous integrated boost of 60 Gy to the prostate in 20 fractions with CBCT-based imaging and volumetric arc therapy (VMAT). Patient data was obtained retrospectively; acute gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicity was classified per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0 and obtained from clinical records. Quality of life was surveyed via phone call using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) questionnaire QLQ-PR25. Results: 78 patients were treated between May and December 2021. 83.33% of patients had high-risk disease, 16.67% had intermediate-risk disease, and 34.62% patients had node-positive disease. Median follow-up was 10.6 months. No patients presented acute grade >3 GI toxicity, and one patient presented grade 3 GU toxicity. 25.64% patients presented acute G2 GI toxicity and 17.95% patients presented acute G2 GU toxicity. 60.26% of patients responded to the EORTC-PR25 questionnaire. Mean scores for symptom scales were 11.26, 4.96 and 9.57 for Urinary Symptoms, Bowel Symptoms and Hormonal Treatment-Related Symptoms; mean scores for Sexual Activity and Functioning were 19.86 and 31.08, respectively. Conclusion: Definitive hypofractionated pelvic radiation therapy has an acceptable acute toxicity and QoL profile in this series of patients, although longer follow-up is needed to properly evaluate short and long-term toxicity. Further follow-up and patient recruitment is ongoing.

Frequency of diminished ovarian reserve in women with multiple sclerosis in Chile: An exploratory study.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease affecting around 2.8 million people worldwide. Two-thirds are women, and the mean age at diagnosis is about 30 years old. Social trends are moving towards older age at first pregnancy, both in women with and without MS. OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) through anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) measurement in women with MS at fertile age and Healthy Females (HF) in Chile. METHODS: Case-control, multicentric, cross-sectional study including relapsing-remitting people with MS (pwMS) between 18 and 40 years and sex and age-matched HF. We obtained a blood sample to determine AMH levels. We defined DOR as AMH <1.5 ng/mL and very-low AMH levels as <0.5 ng/mL. Also, we performed questions regarding reproductive decision-making. RESULTS: We included 79 sex and age-matched HF and 92 pwMS, median age 32(19-40) years, median disease duration 6 (1-17)years, median EDSS 1.0 (0-6), 95% were receiving disease-modifying therapy (DMT), 70% high-efficacy DMT and 37% with a treatment that contraindicates pregnancy. DOR was observed in 24% (n = 22) of the pwMS, compared to 14% (n = 11) of the HF (p = 0.09), while very-low AMH levels were observed in 7.6% (n = 7) of pwMS and none of the HF (p = 0.0166). We observed an inverse correlation between age and AMH levels. Age was the only significant risk factor for low AMH levels in pwMS (OR 1.14 95%CI(1.00-1-31), p = 0.04), including smoking, body mass index (BMI), hormonal contraception, autoimmune comorbidity, high/low-moderate efficacy DMT, and active disease as covariables. We did not find statistically significant differences in age at diagnosis, BMI, disease duration, EDSS, autoimmune comorbidity, use of hormonal contraception, or percentage of active disease between MS women with normal vs DOR. Over 70% of pwMS desired to become pregnant in the future, while 60% considered that the diagnosis of MS was a limitation for pregnancy planning. CONCLUSIONS: No differences in DOR, measured by levels of AMH, were observed between pwMS MS and HF in Chile. As expected, AMH levels were correlated only with ageing. This information may be evaluated early during the disease course to help patients and neurologists with fertility counselling and family planning considerations regarding DMT use.

Contenido de sodio en preparaciones de consumo frecuente fuera del hogar en tres zonas de Lima Metropolitana, Perú / Sodium content in commonly consumed away-from-home food in three areas of Metropolitan Lima, Peru

El objetivo fue caracterizar el contenido de sodio en preparaciones de consumo frecuente fuera del hogar en tres zonas de Lima Metropolitana. Se realizó un estudio transversal para el cual se identificaron veinte preparaciones de consumo frecuente según el lugar de expendio. La determinación del contenido de sodio se obtuvo mediante espectroscopía de absorción atómica en preparaciones recolectadas en el 2019. La mediana del contenido de sodio en productos de venta ambulatoria fue 492,36 mg/100 g (RIQ: 83,93 - 918,78); 471,37 mg/100 g, en preparaciones tradicionales y típicas (RIQ: 76,04 - 765,39); y 471,06 mg/100 g (RIQ: 115,31 - 695,18), en comidas rápidas. El 65% de las preparaciones fueron consideradas altas en sodio según los parámetros peruanos, mientras que el 30% de las preparaciones también presentaron un alto contenido, de acuerdo con los parámetros del Reino Unido. La mayoría de las preparaciones expendidas y consumidas fuera del hogar presentan un elevado contenido de sodio. Es esencial involucrar a todos los actores que participan en la preparación de alimentos para el consumo fuera del hogar, con el fin de sensibilizarlos e incluirlos en la promoción de políticas enfocadas en la reducción del consumo de sodio.

The aim of this study was to characterize the sodium content in commonly consumed away-from-home food in three areas of Metropolitan Lima. We conducted a cross-sectional study, in which twenty frequently consumed foods were identified according to the place of sale. Sodium content was determined through atomic absorption spectroscopy in preparations collected in 2019. The median sodium content in street food products was 492.36 mg/100g (IQR: 83.93 - 918.78), 471.37 mg/100 g in artisanal food (IQR: 76.04 - 765.39) and 471.06 mg/100 g in fast food (IQR: 115.31 - 695.18). Sixty-five percent of the foods were classified as having high sodium content according to Peruvian regulations, while 30% of the preparations had high sodium content, according to UK parameters. Most food sold and consumed away from home have high sodium content. It is essential to engage all stakeholders involved in food preparation for away-from-home consumption in order to raise awareness and involve them in the promotion of policies aimed at reducing sodium intake.

Design and approval of the nutritional warnings' policy in Peru: Milestones, key stakeholders, and policy drivers for its approval.

Nutritional warnings are used as a public health strategy to address obesity. Peru approved in 2013 and implemented in 2019 a law requiring nutritional warnings on the marketing and packaging of processed foods high in sugar, sodium, saturated fat, and containing trans-fat. The complexity behind the design and approval of these policies over six years provides unique learnings, that inform the obesity prevention context, especially when proposed policies face strong opposition from powerful stakeholders. Our study aims to describe the milestones and key stakeholders' roles and stances during the nutritional warnings policy design in Peru, and to identify and analyze the main drivers of policy change that explain its approval. In 2021, interviews were conducted with 25 key informants closely involved in its design. Interviews were analyzed using the Kaleidoscope Model as a theoretical framework. Relevant policy documents and news were also analyzed. Milestones for this policy included the approval of the Law, Regulation, and Manual. Policy supporters were mainly from Congress, civil society advocates, and Health Ministers. Opponents came from Congress, ministries linked to the economic sector, the food industry, and media. Across the years, warnings evolved from a single text, to traffic lights, to the approved black octagons. Main challenges included the strong opposition of powerful stakeholders, the lack of agreement for defining the appropriate evidence supporting nutritional warning parameters and design, and the political instability of the country. Based on the Kaleidoscope Model, the policy successfully targeted a relevant problem (unhealthy eating decisions) and had powerful advocates who effectively used focusing events to reposition the warnings in the policy agenda across the years. Negotiations weakened the policy but led to its approval. Importantly, government veto players were mostly in favor of the policy, which enabled its final approval despite the strong opposition.

Declaración de información nutricional en el etiquetado de bebidas y alimentos procesados y ultraprocesados ofertados en una cadena de supermercados de Lima en el 2022 / Nutritional information on the labels of processed and ultra-processed foods and beverages marketed in a supermarket chain in Lima in 2022

RESUMEN Objetivos. Estimar la cantidad de bebidas y alimentos procesados y ultraprocesados que declaran información nutricional en su empaque y describir las características de esta información, así como determinar la presencia de información nutricional en los productos con octógonos. Materiales y métodos. Se tomaron fotografías del etiquetado de 4404 bebidas y alimentos procesados y ultraprocesados ofertados en supermercados de Lima Metropolitana. La información declarada en la etiqueta se recogió y se registró en la versión móvil y web del Programa de Información de Etiquetas de Alimentos (FLIP por sus siglas en inglés). Se analizaron las variables correspondientes a la declaración de información nutricional, la forma en que se declara dicha información y la declaración de la misma en bebidas y alimentos con octógonos. Resultados. De todos los productos recolectados solo el 71,4% declara algún tipo de información nutricional. De estos, el 13,8% declara la información nutricional en texto y no en tabla, además sólo 56,3% la declara por cada 100 gramos o mililitros. Del total de alimentos con el octógono «Contiene grasas trans¼, sólo 19,2% declara su contenido. Conclusiones. Más de la cuarta parte de bebidas y alimentos envasados expendidos en el mercado peruano no declaran información nutricional de ningún tipo, y de los que declaran, existe una que lo hace en diferentes formatos y unidades. Además, se halló que hay una proporción de bebidas y alimentos para cada tipo de octógono que no declaran la información del nutriente advertido en el mismo.

ABSTRACT Objectives. To estimate the number of processed and ultra-processed beverages and foods that provide nutritional information on their packaging, and to describe the characteristics of this information, as well as to determine the presence of nutritional information on products with octagons. Materials and methods. Photographs were taken of the labels of 4404 processed and ultra-processed beverages and foods marketed in supermarkets in Metropolitan Lima. The information on the label was collected and registered in the mobile and web version of the Food Label Information Program (FLIP). We analyzed variables related to the nutritional information, the way in which such information is declared and the information in beverages and foods with octagons. Results. Only 71.4% of the products had some type of nutritional information. Of these, 13.8% provided the nutritional information as a text and not in a table, and only 56.3% declared it per 100 grams or milliliters. Of the total number of foods with the octagon "Contains trans fats", only 19.2% declared their content. Conclusions. More than a quarter of the beverages and packaged foods in the Peruvian market did not provide nutritional information of any kind, and of those that did, only one did so in different formats and units. In addition, we found that a proportion of beverages and foods for each type of octagon did not declare information of the nutrient that is mentioned in the octagon.

Factors Associated with Normal-Weight Abdominal Obesity Phenotype in a Representative Sample of the Peruvian Population: A 4-Year Pooled Cross-Sectional Study.

To examine factors associated with abdominal obesity among normal-weight individuals from the Demographic and Health Survey of Peru (2018-2021). Cross-sectional analytical study. The outcome variable was abdominal obesity defined according to JIS criteria. Crude (cPR) and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) were estimated for the association between sociodemographic and health-related variables and abdominal obesity using the GLM Poisson distribution with robust variance estimates. A total of 32,109 subjects were included. The prevalence of abdominal obesity was 26.7%. The multivariate analysis showed a statistically significant association between abdominal obesity and female sex (aPR: 11.16; 95% CI 10.43-11.94); categorized age 35 to 59 (aPR: 1.71; 95% CI 1.65-1.78); 60 to 69 (aPR: 1.91; 95% CI 1.81-2.02); and 70 or older(aPR: 1.99; 95% CI 1.87-2.10); survey year 2019 (aPR: 1.22; 95% CI 1.15-1.28); 2020 (aPR: 1.17; 95% CI 1.11-1.24); and 2021 (aPR: 1.12; 95% CI 1.06-1.18); living in Andean region (aPR: 0.91; 95% CI 0.86-0.95); wealth index poor (aPR: 1.26; 95% CI 1.18-1.35); middle (aPR: 1.17; 95% CI 1.08-1.26); rich (aPR: 1.26; 95% CI 1.17-1.36); and richest (aPR: 1.25; 95% CI 1.16-1.36); depressive symptoms (aPR: 0.95; 95% CI 0.92-0.98); history of hypertension (aPR: 1.08; 95% CI 1.03-1.13), type 2 diabetes (aPR: 1.13; 95% CI 1.07-1.20); and fruit intake 3 or more servings/day (aPR: 0.92; 95% CI 0.89-0.96). Female sex, older ages, and low and high income levels increased the prevalence ratio for abdominal obesity, while depressive symptoms, living in the Andean region, and fruit intake of 3 or more servings/day decreased it.

Insights into Pathogenesis, Nutritional and Drug Approach in Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review.

Sarcopenia is a multifactorial condition related to the loss of muscle mass and strength due to aging, eating habits, physical inactivity, or even caused by another disease. Affected individuals have a higher risk of falls and may be associated with heart disease, respiratory diseases, cognitive impairment, and consequently an increased risk of hospitalization, in addition to causing an economic impact due to the high cost of care during the stay in hospitals. The standardization of appropriate treatment for patients with sarcopenia that could help reduce pathology-related morbidity is necessary. For these reasons, this study aimed to perform a systematic review of the role of nutrition and drugs that could ameliorate the health and quality of life of sarcopenic patients and PRISMA guidelines were followed. Lifestyle interventions have shown a profound impact on sarcopenia treatment but using supplements and different drugs can also impact skeletal muscle maintenance. Creatine, leucine, branched-chain amino acids, omega 3, and vitamin D can show benefits. Although with controversial results, medications such as Metformin, GLP-1, losartan, statin, growth hormone, and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors have also been considered and can alter the sarcopenic's metabolic parameters, protect against cardiovascular diseases and outcomes, while protecting muscles.

[Pancreatic metastasis from undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. An extremely rare entity]. / Metástasis pancreática de sarcoma pleomórfico indiferenciado. Una entidad extremadamente rara.

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is a very aggressive malignant tumor that originates in bone or soft tissues, being its most frequent location in the extremities. We present the case of a 71-year-old man who, two years of follow-up after a lower right limb UPS excision surgery, presented a single metastasis of sarcomatoid origin in the pancreas that was treated by cephalic pancreaticoduodenectomy. Sarcomatoid metastases to the pancreas are extremely rare. Resection of the metastasis is the only therapeutic alternative that has reported benefit in terms of the survival of these patients.

El sarcoma pleomórfico indiferenciado (SPI) es un tumor maligno muy agresivo que se origina en el hueso o tejidos blandos, siendo su localización más frecuente en las extremidades. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 71 años que a los dos años de seguimiento tras cirugía de exéresis de un SPI presenta una metástasis única de origen sarcomatoide a nivel del páncreas que se trató mediante duodenopancreatectomía cefálica. Las metástasis sarcomatoides a nivel de páncreas son extremadamente raras. La cirugía de exéresis de la metástasis es la única alternativa terapéutica que ha reportado beneficio en cuanto la supervivencia de estos pacientes.

Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease (MOGAD) in Chile: lessons learned from challenging cases.

BACKGROUND: Anti-Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG) Antibody Associated Disease (MOGAD) is an emerging disorder recognized as a clinical entity distinct from Multiple Sclerosis and Aquaporin-4-positive Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD-AQP4+), and its phenotypic spectrum continues to expand. Most information about its clinical course has emerged from retrospective studies, and treatment response both in acute and chronic-relapsing disease is still limited. We aimed to describe the clinical and paraclinical characteristics of monophasic and relapsing, paediatric and adult patients with MOGAD under regular clinical care in Chile, highlighting some challenging cases that are far from being considered benign. METHODS: Observational, retrospective, and prospective longitudinal multicentre study including patients with positive serum MOG-IgG assessed by cell-based assay. RESULTS: We include 35 patients, 71% women, median age at onset 30 years (range 1-68), 23% had paediatric onset, with a median disease-duration 24 months (range 12-348). In the whole cohort, the most frequent symptoms at onset were isolated optic neuritis (ON) (34%) and myelitis (22%). Encephalitis with seizures or encephalomyelitis was the most common presentation in paediatric-onset patients 75% (n = 6), compared to 11% (n = 3) of the adult-onset patients (p < 0.001). A relapsing course was observed in 34%, these patients were younger (25 vs. 34 years, p = 0.004) and with a longer disease duration (64 vs. 6 months, p = 0.004) compared to monophasic patients. Two patients developed encephalitis with seizures/status epilepticus, with concomitant positive CSF anti-NMDAR-IgG. Chronic immunotherapy was ever prescribed in 77%, the most frequent was rituximab (35%). Relapses under chronic immunotherapy occurred in 5/27 patients (18.5%), two of them under rituximab, one paediatric patient who started combined therapy with monthly IVIG and one adult patient that switched to satralizumab plus mycophenolate. The median EDSS at the last follow-up was 1.5 (range 0-6.0). CONCLUSION: In Chile, patients with MOGAD exhibit a wide spectrum of clinical presentations at disease onset and during relapses. Close monitoring is needed, particularly in younger patients with short follow-up periods.

Juegos tradicionales para niños con discapacidad visual: un conocimiento necesario en educación médica / Traditional games for visually impaired children: a necessary knowledge in medical education

Fundamento: los juegos tradicionales resultan motivantes y de fácil ejecución para los escolares con necesidades educativas especiales porque favorecen la movilidad y orientación espacial de niños con discapacidad visual. Objetivo: proponer un grupo de juegos tradicionales adaptados para mejorar la movilidad y orientación espacial de niños con discapacidad visual en la Escuela Especial "Fructuoso Rodríguez" de Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal, entre los meses de mayo-septiembre de 2021. Se emplearon métodos teóricos: analítico-sintético, inductivo-deductivo e histórico-lógico; y empíricos: análisis de documentos, observación, cuestionario y entrevista. Resultados: el diagnóstico realizado corroboró que los sujetos estudiados presentaban dificultades en la movilidad y la orientación espacial; desconfianza, inseguridad y pocas iniciativas relacionadas con la recreación en su cotidianeidad familiar, por lo que se adaptaron 10 juegos tradicionales conocidos, pero poco jugados por los niños con discapacidad visual, con el fin de alcanzar otras vías que contribuyan a mejorar su movilidad y orientación espacial, luego de una etapa de confinamiento provocada por la Covid-19. Conclusiones: la propuesta de juegos tradicionales adaptados responde a la necesidad detectada y potencia la recreación e inclusión de estos infantes en actividades escolares y extraescolares después de la pandemia.

Background: traditional games are motivating and easy to play for schoolchildren with special educational needs because they favor the mobility and spatial orientation of visually impaired children. Objective: to propose a group of traditional games adapted to improve the mobility and spatial orientation of visually impaired children at "Fructuoso Rodríguez" Special School in Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba. Methods: a cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out, from May to September 2021. Theoretical methods were used: analytical-synthetic, inductive-deductive and historical-logical; and empirical ones: document analysis, observation, questionnaire and interview. Results: the diagnosis made corroborated that the subjects studied presented difficulties in mobility and spatial orientation; distrust, insecurity and few initiatives related to recreation in their family daily life, for which 10 known traditional games were adapted, but little played by children with visual disabilities, in order to reach other ways that contribute to improving their mobility and orientation space, after a stage of confinement caused by Covid-19. Conclusions: the proposal of adapted traditional games responds to the detected need and enhances the recreation and inclusion of these infants in school and extracurricular activities after the pandemic.