Biomonitoring bisphenols, parabens, and benzophenones in breast milk from a human milk bank in Southern Spain.

BACKGROUND: Human breast milk is considered the optimal source of nutrition for infants. Milk from breast milk banks offers an alternative to infant formulas for vulnerable hospitalized neonates most likely to benefit from exclusive human milk feeding. However, breast milk can also be a source of exposure to environmental contaminants, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). AIM: To evaluate concentrations of phenolic EDCs, including bisphenols, parabens (PBs), and benzophenones (BPs), in samples from a human milk bank in Granada, Southern Spain and to explore sociodemographic, reproductive, and lifestyle factors related to their concentrations in the milk. METHODS: Concentrations of three bisphenols [bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol F (BPF), and bisphenol S (BPS)], four PBs [methyl- (MeP), ethyl- (EtP), propyl- (n-PrP), and butyl-paraben (n-BuP)], and six BPs [BP-1, BP-2, BP-3, BP-6, BP-8, and 4-hydroxy-BP] were determined in milk samples from 83 donors. Information on potential explanatory variables was gathered using the milk bank donor form and an ad hoc questionnaire. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were fitted. RESULTS: Detectable concentrations were found of at least one of the analyzed compounds in all donor breast milk samples and at least five compounds in one-fifth of them. The most frequently detected compounds were MeP (90.5%), BP-3 (75.0%), EtP (51.2%), n-PrP (46.4%), and BPA (41.7%). Median concentrations ranged between <0.10 ng/mL (n-PrP, n-BuP, BP-1) and 0.59 ng/mL (BP-3). No sample contained detectable concentrations of BPF, BPS, or most BPs (BP-2, BP-6, BP-8, and 4- hydroxy-BP). Breast milk phenol concentrations were associated with parity, the utilization of deodorants, mouthwash, skin care products, and cosmetics, and the intake of nutritional supplements. CONCLUSIONS: Results reveal the widespread presence of BPA, PBs, and BP-3 in donor breast milk samples, highlighting the need for preventive measures to enhance the benefits of breast milk from milk banks and from breastfeeding women in general.

Solar homogeneous catalysis to the removal of organic matter from slaughterhouse effluents undergone to a prior biological process.

This study shows the effectiveness of the wastewater treatment from a municipal slaughterhouse that has undergone a previous biological treatment applying a sequence of stages, reaching a 75% of elimination of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) using sedimentation in combination with coagulation-flocculation, using 0.5 g/L FeCl3 which is one of the best known inorganic coagulants. Then, the elimination of COD was around 98% adding the Fenton process in which 1,000 mg/L H2O2 and FeSO4 were used. In addition to the COD, other water quality parameters were measured to evaluate the level of purification of the test samples, such as solids of different types, pH, DOC and so on. With the above process, it can be noted that the Fenton process produced a slight improvement in the effluent quality by using a solar concentrator in the now-called photo-Fenton process, reaching around 99% of COD removal (0.36 g/L), 91% of total suspended solids (0.32 g/L) and 89% of dissolved organic carbon (0.20 g/L). These results were the best achieved within a proposed treatment train for this type of complex wastewater. Moreover, this last part of the process adds an improvement by the usage of renewable energy sources such as sunlight.

Effects of Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 Lc40 on infant growth and health: a randomised clinical trial in nursing women.

The breast milk microbiota has been described as a source of bacteria for infant gut colonisation. We studied the effect of Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 (Lc40) on growth and infection incidence of the infants, when the probiotic is administrated to the mothers. Moreover, whether such effects might depend on the interaction between the mother or infant microbiota and the probiotic administration. A total of 291 mother-infant pairs were studied for 16 weeks in a randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled multicentre trial. The Lc40 group (n=139) received 1 capsule/day containing 3×109 cfu Lc40; the control group (n=152) received 1 placebo (maltodextrin) capsule/day. A positive and significant correlation of the Staphylococcus load between breast milk and infant faeces was only observed in control group. Additionally, the weight z-score of the infants whose mothers had higher values of Lactobacillus in their breast milk were significantly higher for the Lc40 group. We observed a significant lower incidence of conjunctivitis in the infants whose mothers received Lc40. A higher load of Staphylococcus in infant faeces significantly increased the risk of respiratory infections. Such incidence, under an absent or low Staphylococcus load in the faeces, was significantly 36 times higher in the infants in the control group than in the infants in the Lc40 group. However, the protective effect of Lc40 was gradually reduced as the Staphylococcus load of the milk increased. The administration of Lc40 to nursing women might influence infant growth and health but it seems to depend on its interactions with mother or infant microbiota. Registered in the US Library of Medicine (www.clinicaltrials.gov): NCT02203877.

Cytokine distribution in mothers and breastfed children after omega-3 LCPUFAs supplementation during the last trimester of pregnancy and the lactation period: A randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether maternal diet supplementation with omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 LC-PUFAs) during the last trimester of pregnancy and the breastfeeding period influences the levels of inflammatory cytokines in mother and infants. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This registered, double-blind randomized study included 46 pregnant women, who were randomly allocated to either an experimental group receiving 400mL/day of a fish oil-enriched dairy drink [320mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) + 72mg eicoapentaenoic acid] (FO group, n = 24) or to a control group receiving 400mL/day of a non-supplemented dairy drink (CT group, n = 22), from week 28 of pregnancy until the fourth month of lactation. During the study, maternal dietary patterns were monitored by a nutritionist, who encouraged compliance with current recommendations of fatty acids intake. DHA concentrations and cytokine levels (GM-CSF, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, INF-γ and TNF-α) were measured in maternal plasma at the moment of recruitment and in maternal (n = 46) and infant (n = 46) plasma at birth and 2.5 months after birth. RESULTS: Maternal plasmatic IL-4 levels were higher in FO than in CT subjects (p = 0.009). Additionally, a tendency was observed to higher IL-10 and IL-2 in the FO group. Plasmatic IL-6 however, was higher in CT mothers (p = 0.001). TNF-α was higher in CT infants at birth and 2.5 months after birth (p = 0.005). An analysis of possible relationships between DHA and the concentrations of different cytokines revealed negative correlation between maternal plasmatic IL-6 and DHA (higher plasmatic DHA corresponded to lower IL-6). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal dietary omega-3 LC-PUFAs supplementation during critical periods like pregnancy, lactation and early newborn development may influence the levels of certain inflammatory cytokines, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and promoting an anti-inflammatory "environment".

Reproductive biology of Ferocactus recurvus (Mill.) Borg subsp. recurvus (Cactaceae) in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, Mexico.

Mexico has one of the highest diversities of barrel cacti species worldwide; however, all are threatened and require conservation policies. Information on their reproductive biology is crucial, but few studies are available. Ferocactus recurvus subsp. recurvus is a barrel cactus endemic to the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley. Our research aimed to characterise its floral and pollination biology. We hypothesised bee pollination, as suggested by its floral morphology and behaviour, and self-incompatibility, like most barrel cacti studied. Three study sites were selected in the semiarid Zapotitlán Valley, Mexico. We examined 190 flowers from 180 plants to determine: morphometry and behaviour of flowers, flower visitors and probable pollinators, and breeding system. Flowers showed diurnal anthesis, lasting 2-5 days, the stigma being receptive on day 2 or 3 after the start of anthesis. Flowers produced scarce/no nectar and main visitors were bees (Apidae), followed by flies (Muscidae), ants (Formicidae), thrips (Thripidae) and hummingbirds (Throchilidae); however, only native bees and occasionally wasps contacted the stigma and anthers. Pollination experiments revealed that this species is self-incompatible and xenogamous. In natural conditions, fruit set was 60% and cross-pollination fruit set was 100%. Percentage seed germination resulting from cross-pollination was higher than in the control treatment. Our results provide ecological information for conservation programmes to ensure a high probability of breeding and seed production in natural populations of F. recurvus.

Carbamazepine induced transient monoclonal gammopathy and immunodeficiency.

Immune abnormalities have been found in many patients receiving anti-epileptic drugs. However, the effects of carbamazepine are still conflicting. We report the case of a 31-year-old woman who began carbamazepine treatment because of idiopathic epilepsy of adulthood. After three years of treatment she developed arthralgias and malaise. Complete immunologic evaluation showed a total absence of immunoglobulin M with decreased levels of immunoglobulin A, positive antinuclear antibodies and monoclonal paraproteinemia type IgG-kappa. The possibility of B cell lymphoma or myeloma was ruled out. Skin testing was negative. Bone marrow examination was normal. After carbamazepine discontinuation, levels of IgA and IgM increased until reaching normal values over 3 years. The monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance also disappeared over this period. During this period of immunodeficiency, the patient did not complain of any infectious complications.

Continuous oral cytarabine ocfosfate with interferon-alpha-2b for patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukaemia: a pilot study.

Recombinant(R) interferon alpha (r-IFN-alpha) has been shown to be an effective drug for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). However, higher response rates can be achieved using cytarabine along with r-IFN-alpha. YNK01 is a derivative of cytosine arabinoside for oral administration. So far, the only published experience with continuous YNK01 was in advanced CML (10 cases). We have performed a pilot study to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the combined therapy r-IFN-alpha and daily oral YNK01 in patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ CML. Ten previously untreated patients were included in the study. Among those patients evaluable for cytogenetic response, 87% (seven out of eight) reached a major cytogenetic response with four reaching complete cytogenetic response (50%). The most significant side-effects were gastrointestinal. Macrocytic anaemia was observed in three patients. In conclusion, continuous oral administration of YNK01 in combination with IFN-alpha is safe and can result in high-cytogenetic response rates.

[Anemia secondary to lead poisoning. Our experience with 12 cases]. / Anemia secundaria a intoxicación por plomo. Nuestra experiencia a propósito de 12 casos.

BACKGROUND: A decrease in hemoglobin production is probably the main cause of anemia observed in patients poisoned by lead although hemolysis caused by the effects on membrane or by inhibition of other enzymes such as 5'-pyrimidine nucleotidase may also play a key role. The main lead exposure source comes from lead use in industry; however, outside occupational exposure, food and water consumption is the main cause of lead exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical and analytical characteristics are reported of twelve patients with lead poisoning of food and water source occurred in the last 14 years in two health areas in north Extremadura. RESULTS: The exposure source was wine, vinegar and olives in one case, hand-made brandy in five, water consumption in houses with lead piping, and in two cases the cause was not determined. The clinical picture was similar in all cases with the exception of one female patient who had encephalopathy and hepatic failure. Diagnosis was suggested by regenerative anemia with basophilic stippling of erythrocytes. All patients received oral calcium disodium EDTA. CONCLUSIONS: Lead poisoning in non-industrial areas is a rare entity. Nevertheless, owing to the use of artisanal procedures for wine elaboration and derivatives, its occurrence is increasing. In a patient with symptoms of lead poisoning and regenerative anemia, a peripheral blood smear should be reviewed.

Anemia secundaria a intoxicación por plomo. Nuestra experiencia a propósito de 12 casos / Anemia secondary to lead poisoning. Our twelve-case experience

Introducción. La disminución en la producción de hemo es probablemente la causa principal de la anemia observada en pacientes intoxicados por plomo, si bien la hemólisis provocada por los efectos sobre la membrana o por inhibición de otras enzimas tales como la 5'-pirimidin nucleotidasa también pueden tener una importancia capital. La mayor fuente de exposición al plomo proviene de su utilización en actividades industriales; sin embargo, fuera del ámbito laboral el origen alimentario es la principal causa de contacto con este tóxico. Material y métodos. Presentamos las características clínicas y analíticas de 12 casos de saturnismo de origen alimentario producidos en los últimos 14 años en 2 áreas sanitarias del norte de Extremadura. Resultados. La fuente de exposición fue vino, vinagre y aceitunas en un caso, aguardiente artesanal en 5, en 2 pacientes fue por el consumo de agua canalizada por tuberías de plomo y en 2 no se determinó la causa. El cuadro clínico fue superponible en todos, excepto en 1 paciente con encefalopatía y fallo hepático. La anemia regenerativa con punteado basófilo sugirió el diagnóstico. Todos recibieron tratamiento con ácido etilendiaminotetracético (EDTA) cálcico disódico oral. Conclusiones. La intoxicación por plomo en zonas no industriales constituye una rareza; sin embargo, debido al uso de procedimientos artesanales en la elaboración del vino y sus derivados nuevamente se está incrementando. En un paciente con síntomas de saturnismo y con anemia regrenerativa debe revisarse la extensión de sangre periférica (AU)

[Creatine kinase BB activity in the serum and bronchial aspirate of preterm newborns with respiratory distress syndrome]. / Actividad de la isoenzima CKBB en suero y broncoaspirado de recién nacidos pretérmino con síndrome de distrés respiratorio.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the utility of serum creatine kinase (CK) isoenzyme determinations as a marker of tissue injury in preterm newborns with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two groups of neonates were studied, 26 suffering from RDS who required mechanical ventilation and 20 healthy newborns with gestational ages, hours of life and birth weights similar to the first group. The activity of CK and its isoenzymes was determined in the bronchial aspirate and serum samples that were obtained before and 24 hours after exogenous surfactant therapy. The isoenzymes were separated by electrophoresis on agarose gel and their activity expressed as a percentage of the total CK. Total proteins were quantified in the bronchial aspirate and CK enzymatic activity expressed in U/mg of protein x 10-3. RESULTS: The CK-BB isoenzyme was significantly increased (p < 0.001) in the serum of infants with RDS compared with the control group. In the bronchial aspirate, the isoenzymatic study showed that the CK-BB isoenzyme represented 98-100% of the total enzymatic CK activity. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows significant differences in the CK isoenzyme patterns of neonates with RDS compared to controls. An increase in serum levels of the CK-BB isoenzyme could be an effective marker of tissue injury in lung disease in the newborn.

Vegetation-environment relationships based on a life-forms classification in a semiarid region of tropical Mexico.

Taking the view that morphological characteristics represent behavioral strategies of plants to cope with environmental pressures, we defined 18 life-forms, using multivariate classification techniques in a tropical semiarid ecosystem in Central Mexico. A multiple discriminant analysis confirmed the existence of these groups. A null model of random membership of species to life-forms was significantly different from our classification. Vegetation-environment relationships were examined with Detrended Canonical Correspondence Analysis (DCCA). Ordination axes were interpreted mainly be altitude and soil moisture. Response curves of life-forms along these gradients were explored fitting generalized linear models (GLIM's). We believe that the life-forms approach for the study of vegatation-environment relationships is a valid alternative to the traditional species approach usually used in physiological research because: i) life-forms number was found to be an excellent species diversity predictor, ii) this approach enables considerable reduction in the bulk of data without losing ecological information, and iii) life-forms represent ecological strategies per se and, they constitute an index of the number of different ways the desert's resources are utilized.

Vegetation-environment relatioship based on a life-forms classification in a semiarid region of Tropical Mexico

Taking the view that morphological characteristics represent behavioral strategies of plants to cope with environmental pressures, we defined 18 life-forms, using multivariate classification techniques in a tropical semiarid ecosystem in Central Mexico. A multiple discriminant analysis confirmed the existence of these groups. A null model of random membership of species to life-forms was significantly different from our classification. Vegetation-environment relationships were examined with Detrended Canonical orrespondence Analysis (DCCA). Ordination axes were interpreted mainly be altitude and soil moisture. Response curves of life-forms along these gradients were explored fitting generalized linear models (GLIM's). We believe that the life-forms approach for the study of vegatation-environment relationships is a valid alternative to the traditional species approach usually used in physiological research because: i) life-forms number was found to be an excellent species diversity predictor, ii) this approach enables considerable reduction in the bulk of data without losing ecological information, and iii) life-forms represent ecological strategies per se and, they constitute an index of the number of different ways the desert's resources are utilized

[Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in the serum and bronchial aspirate of newborn infants with respiratory difficulty of different etiologies]. / Isoenzimas de lactato deshidrogenasa en el suero y aspirado bronquial de recién nacidos con dificultad respiratoria de etiología diversa.

OBJECTIVE: To study the usefulness of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes serum determination as tissue injury markers in newborns with respiratory distress. DESIGN AND METHODS: Ninety four neonates were studied and classified in two groups: 64 suffering various types of respiratory problems, and 30 healthy newborns of a similar birth weight and gestational age. LDH activity and its isoenzymes was determined in the serum of all the infants and in 23 samples of the bronchial aspirate of infants who required ventilation support. The isoenzymes were separated by electrophoresis on agarose gel and their activity was expressed as percentage of the total LDH. RESULTS: LDH1 and LDH2 isoenzymes were decreased, and LDH4 and LDH5 isoenzymes were significantly increased (p > 0.001) in infants serum with respiratory distress, compared with controls. We compared LDH isoenzymes values found in bronchial aspirate with their values found in serum of ventilate infants, and we found a significant levels of LDH2 and LDH3 were lower, and those of LDH5 were higher (p < 0.001) in bronchial aspirate than in serum and a positive correlation (r = 0.47, p < 0.01) between LDH5 values in both samples. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows significantly differences in the LDH isoenzyme profiles of neonates with respiratory distress compared with controls. The increase in serum of LDH4 and particularly of LDH5 isoenzymes could be an effective marker of tissue damage in lung disease in the newborn.

[Microbiology of chronic otitis media in children and comparison of 2 technics for obtaining otic secretions]. / Microbiología de la otitis crónica en niños y comparación de dos técnicas para la obtención de la secreción ótica.

Samples of otic secretion for culture were taken to 50 children with suppurative chronic otitis media; two techniques were followed: with a cotton swab from the external meatus or with a sterile metal aspirator, through the tympanic perforation under microscopic control. To 20 of them with unilateral chronic otitis media, a swab with product from the external meatus of the healthy ear was also taken; in 65% of the latter, the same germs were found in both ears, but when the sample was taken with the aspirator, only in 15% were the germs the same (p less than 0.01). Two or more germs were isolated in 54% of the ears following the technique of the swab and in 32% with the aspiration. The predominant microorganisms with the swab technique were gram-positive cocci (S. epidermidis 48% S. aureus 16%); while the aspiration technique reported gram-negative germs in 96% of cultures (Proteus sp. 42%, Pseudomonas sp. 30% and S. aureus only in 14%). We believe that the sample obtained with a swab has a high degree of contamination with the normal flora of the external meatus; therefore, it should be relinquished.

Microbiologia de la otitis cronica en ninos y comparacion de dos tecnicas para la obtencion de la secrecion otica. / Microbiology of chronic otitis in children and comparison of two technics in obtaining otic secretion

Se estudio la concentracion de las immunoglobulinas G y M mas el perfil electroforetico de las proteinas en 14 sueros de ninos con ascesso hepatico amibiano. Todos tenian diferentes grados de perdida de peso y de necrosis hepatica. La concentracion de las proteinas totales del suero estuvo sujeta a diversos factores y resulto con amplias variaciones individuales. Lo mismo se obtuvo cuando se expresaron, en g/dl, los valores de las fracciones que separo la eletroforesis.En cambio, los valores porcentuales dieron un perfil similar para dos los pacientes. Ademas del aumento significativo de las IgG, se encontro uma inversion de la relacion albumina/ globulinas y un aumento de los porcentajes de las fracciones alfa-l, alfa-2 y gamma. Se especula sobre la importancia que pueden tener los mecanismos antienzimas proteoliticas en la evolucion de la lesion que provocan en el higado, las enzimas liberadas por los protozoarios