The DNA methyltransferase inhibitor decitabine blunts the response to a high animal fat and protein diet in mice.

Increasing evidence hints that DNA hypermethylation may mediate the pathogenic response to cardiovascular risk factors. Here, we tested a corollary of that hypothesis, i.e., that the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor decitabine (Dec) ameliorates the metabolic profile of mice fed a moderately high-animal fat and protein diet (HAFPD), a proxy of cardiovascular risk-associated Western-type diet. HAFPD-fed mice were exposed to Dec or vehicle for eight weeks (8W set, 4-32/group). To assess any memory of past exposure to Dec, we surveyed a second mice set treated as 8W but HAFPD-fed for further eight weeks without any Dec (16W set, 4-20/group). In 8W, Dec markedly reduced HAFPD-induced body weight gain in females, but marginally in males. Characterization of females revealed that Dec augmented skeletal muscle lipid content, while decreasing liver fat content and increasing plasma non-esterified fatty acids, adipose insulin resistance, and -although marginally- whole blood acylcarnitines, compared to HAFPD alone. Skeletal muscle mitochondrial DNA copy number was higher in 8W mice exposed to HAFPD and Dec, or in 16W mice fed HAFPD only, relative to 8W mice fed HAFPD only, but Dec induced a transcriptional profile indicative of ameliorated mitochondrial function. Memory of past Dec exposure was tissue-specific and sensitive to both duration of exposure to HAFPD and age. In conclusion, Dec redirected HAFPD-induced lipid accumulation towards the skeletal muscle, likely due to augmented mitochondrial functionality and increased lipid demand. As caveat, Dec induced adipose insulin resistance. Our findings may help identifying strategies for prevention and treatment of lipid dysmetabolism.

What is happening with the clinical nutritionist? Realities and challenges.

BACKGROUND: At hospital level, clinical nutritionists play a fundamental role in health recovery, contributing to shorter hospital stays and addressing hospital malnutrition. However, in Latin America no studies have been conducted on the activities of the nutritionist and the factors influencing their performance. AIMS: to describe the activities of the clinical nutritionist in public and private hospital settings in Latin America and to determine the factors associated with disciplinary practice. METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical, quantitative study was conducted. Participants consisted of hospital nutritionists from 13 Latin American countries who had participated in a previously validated online survey on the activities performed during their daily work, obtaining a Professional Activities Score (PAS). RESULTS: 1222 nutritionists participated. Of the activities associated with the professional role, the only ones who reached over 75 % of execution were: performing nutritional intervention; performing nutritional assessment and diagnosis; providing counseling and dietary prescription; developing nutritional care plans for patients with nutritional problems; and performing the monitoring and evaluation of results of priority patients. The least frequent activities were: university teaching and collaborating in research. Regarding the reasons for not performing activities: 34.0 % reported not being included in the activities, 24.5 % mentioned lack of time, and 13.6 % indicated that the activities were conducted by another professional. Variables positively associated with an increase in the PAS were: having spent more years exercising the profession (Beta: 0.028, 95 % CI: 0.004; 0.051), and having a greater number of specialties (4 or more, Beta: 2.294, 95 % CI: 1.031; 3.557). Working in lower-complexity facilities (Low: Beta: -1.037, 95 % CI: -1.443; -0.630), and having more reasons for not performing the activities (3 or more: Beta: -3.105, 95 % CI: -4.111; -2.099) were inversely associated. From the sample, 1.8 % held a doctorate in clinical nutrition, 43.9 % had a specialty, and 64.4 % had a diploma or postgraduate degree in clinical nutrition. CONCLUSION: None of the activities related to the nutritionist work was performed on a 100 % basis. In Latin America, Ministries of Health should standardize and regulate the functions of the clinical nutritionist, as well as quantifying understaffing and proposing solutions to alleviate the shortage of these professionals, acknowledging the positive impact that they have on the recovery of hospital patients.

Effects of paternal arachidonic acid supplementation on offspring behavior and hypothalamus inflammation markers in the mouse.

Arachidonic acid (AA) is involved in inflammation and plays a role in growth and brain development in infants. We previously showed that exposure of mouse sires to AA for three consecutive generations induces a cumulative change in fatty acid (FA) involved in inflammation and an increase in body and liver weight in the offspring. Here, we tested the hypothesis that paternal AA exposure changes the progeny's behavioral response to a proinflammatory insult, and asked whether tissue-specific FA are associated with that response. Male BALB/c mice were supplemented daily with three doses of AA for 10 days and crossed to non-supplemented females (n = 3/dose). Two-month-old unsupplemented male and female offspring (n = 6/paternal AA dose) were exposed to Gram-negative bacteria-derived lipopolysaccharides (LPS) or saline control two hours prior to open field test (OFT) behavioral analysis and subsequent sacrifice. We probed for significant effects of paternal AA exposure on: OFT behaviors; individual FA content of blood, hypothalamus and hypothalamus-free brain; hypothalamic expression profile of genes related to inflammation (Tnfa, Il1b, Cox1, Cox2) and FA synthesis (Scd1, Elovl6). All parameters were affected by paternal AA supplementation in a sex-specific manner. Paternal AA primed the progeny for behavior associated with increased anxiety, with a marked sex dimorphism: high AA doses acted as surrogate of LPS in males, realigning a number of OFT behaviors that in females were differential between saline and LPS groups. Progeny hypothalamic Scd1, a FA metabolism enzyme with documented pro-inflammatory activity, showed a similar pattern of differential expression between saline and LPS groups at high paternal AA dose in females, that was blunted in males. Progeny FA generally were not affected by LPS, but displayed non-linear associations with paternal AA doses. In conclusion, we document that paternal exposure to AA exerts long-term behavioral and biochemical effects in the progeny in a sex-specific manner.

(S)-(+)-1-(4-Bromo-phen-yl)-N-[(4-methoxyphen-yl)methyl-idene]ethyl-amine and bis-{(S)-(+)-1-(4-bromo-phen-yl)-N-[(4-methoxyphen-yl)methyl-idene]ethyl-amine-κN}di-chlorido-palladium(II).

The (S)-(+)-1-(4-bromo-phen-yl)-N-[(4-methoxyphen-yl)methyl-idene]ethyl-amine ligand, C16H16BrNO, (I), was synthesized through the reaction of 4-meth-oxy-anisaldehyde with (S)-(-)-1-(4-bromo-phen-yl)ethyl-amine. It crystallizes in the ortho-rhom-bic space group P212121 belonging to the Sohncke group, featuring a single mol-ecule in the asymmetric unit. The refinement converged successfully, achieving an R factor of 0.0508. The PdII com-plex bis-{(S)-(+)-1-(4-bromo-phen-yl)-N-[(4-methoxyphen-yl)methyl-idene]ethyl-amine-κN}di-chlorido-pal-ladium(II), [PdCl2(C16H16BrNO)2], (II), crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21 belonging to the Sohncke group, with two mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit. The central atom is tetra-coordinated by two N atoms and two Cl atoms, resulting in a square-planar configuration. The imine moieties exhibit a trans configuration around the PdII centre, with average Cl-Pd-N angles of approximately 89.95 and 90°. The average distances within the palladium com-plex for the two mol-ecules are ∼2.031 Šfor Pd-N and ∼2.309 Šfor Pd-Cl.

trans-Di-chlorido-bis-[(S)-(-)-1-(4-methyl-phen-yl)ethyl-amine-κN]palladium(II).

The title complex, [PdCl2(C9H13N)2], comprises a single mol-ecule in the asymmetric unit. The PdII atom is tetra-coordinated by two N atoms from two trans-aligned organic ligands and two Cl ligands, forming a square-planar metal coordination environment. The distances from the ortho-H atoms on the phenyl ring to the central PdII atom fall within the range 4.70-5.30 Å, precluding any significant intra-molecular Pd⋯H inter-actions.

Barriers and Opportunities for Clinical Nutritionists in 13 Latin American Countries: A Qualitative Study.

A clinical nutritionist (CN) is a university-educated professional trained to perform preventive and recovery functions in the health of patients. The actions of these professionals, both worldwide and in Latin America, may face barriers and opportunities that require careful identification and examination. The main objective of this study is to identify the most important barriers and opportunities for the clinical nutritionist in 13 Latin American countries. A qualitative study was carried out; the initial phase involved conducting in-depth individual interviews with 89 informants, experienced CNs from 13 Latin American countries. After calculating the mean and standard deviation, we ranked the top 10 most frequently reported barriers by assigning a score ranging from 1 to 10. Additionally, 3 opportunities were identified with a lower score from 1 to 3. Means and standard deviation were calculated to sort the responses. Results: the most important barrier was the absence of public policies that regulate and/or monitor compliance with the staffing of CNs according to the number of hospital beds, while the most important opportunity was the advances in technology such as software, body analysis equipment and other tools used in Nutritional Care. The identified barriers can interfere with the professional performance of CNs and, moreover, make it difficult to monitor the good nutritional status of patients. It is recommended to consider the barriers identified in this study, as well as the opportunities, with a view to improving the quality of hospital services with an adequate supply of nutritionists.

Pyrrole Plasma Polymer-Coated Fibrillar Scaffold Implant: Pilot Study in Rat Spinal Cord Transection with MRI.

Despite extensive research on spinal cord injury (SCI) therapies for the recovery of motor, sensory and autonomic function, currently there are no effective treatments to completely restore tissue structure and function. In this work, a polylactic acid (PLA) fibrillar scaffold coated with pyrrole plasma polymer doped with iodine (pPPy/I), was studied as therapeutic strategy in a SCI transection model. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate tissue response to the implant. Behavioral analysis using the BBB open-field testing was conducted to evaluate functional response. MRI analysis showed the SCI model completely disrupted tissue continuity, and diffusion indices were altered at the injury site. The animals had completely paralyzed hindlimbs and bladder control loss after injury. After 8 weeks of treatment, in contrast to control and PLA-implanted animals, PLA+pPPy/I-implanted animal had regained bladder control autonomy and frequent to consistent weight supported plantar steps and occasional coordination between forelimbs and hindlimbs. These results suggest fibrillar scaffolds coated with pPPy/I constitute a promising therapy for SCI.

This is not just any FODMAP diet: Hispanic adaptation of the FODMAP diet and a reintroduction guide / Esta no es una dieta FODMAP cualquiera: adaptación hispana de la dieta FODMAP y una guía de reintroducción

Short-chain carbohydrates and sugar alcohols are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and rapidly fermented by bacteria. Fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) content of a wide range of foods has been measured. However, the list of foods allowed, as well as the quantities of FODMAP each food differ between studies, making the management of the low FODMAP diet difficult.The aim of this research was to propose a FODMAP diet guide culturally adapted to different Hispanic countries for dietitians-nutritionists and nutrition experts, to facilitate the management of patients who benefit from this diet.A consortium of FODMAP diet experts was created among Spanish-speaking countries. Dieticians from 11 Latin American countries (Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela) and Spain elaborated a low FODMAP diet adjusted each to the gastronomic culture of their own country. They also created a list of foods to be reintroduced in phase 2 (or reintroduction phase) of the FODMAP diet, along with typical recipes from the country.Twelve low FODMAP diets with their corresponding reintroduction phase were designed, each adapted to the commonly consumed foods and recipes of each country. The adaptation of the diet to local gastronomy is pertinent, as it may increase the likelihood of durable adherence and better response to symptomatology.There are limitations in developing tables of FODMAP-rich and FODMAP-poor foods. The cut-off levels of FODMAP content are not clearly defined. More studies are needed to reach a unified consensus, as inconsistency in the data provided between studies has been found in relation to the FODMAP diet.(AU)

Los carbohidratos de cadena corta y los alcoholes de azúcar se absorben mal en el intestino delgado y las bacterias los fermentan rápidamente. Se ha medido el contenido de oligo, di, monosacáridos y polioles fermentables (FODMAP) de una amplia gama de alimentos. Sin embargo, la lista de alimentos permitidos, así como las cantidades de FODMAP de cada alimento, difieren entre estudios, lo que dificulta el manejo de la dieta baja en FODMAP.El objetivo de esta investigación fue proponer una guía dietética FODMAP adaptada culturalmente a diferentes países hispanos para facilitar a dietistas-nutricionistas y expertos en nutrición el manejo de los pacientes que se benefician de la dieta baja en FODMAP.Se creó un consorcio de expertos en dieta FODMAP entre países de habla hispana. Dietistas de 11 países latinoamericanos (Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, México, Panamá, Perú, Uruguay y Venezuela) y España elaboraron una dieta baja en FODMAP ajustada cada una a la cultura gastronómica del país. También crearon una lista de alimentos para ser reintroducidos en la fase 2 (o fase de reintroducción) de la dieta FODMAP, junto con recetas típicas del país.Se diseñaron doce dietas bajas en FODMAP con su correspondiente fase de reintroducción, cada una adaptada a los alimentos y recetas de consumo común de cada país. La adaptación de la dieta a la gastronomía local fue pertinente, ya que puede aumentar la adherencia a la dieta y una mejor respuesta a la sintomatología.Existen limitaciones en el desarrollo de tablas de alimentos ricos y pobres en FODMAP. Los niveles de corte del contenido de FODMAP no están claramente definidos. Se necesitan más estudios para alcanzar un consenso unificado, ya que se ha encontrado inconsistencia en los datos proporcionados en estudios relacionados con la dieta FODMAP.(AU)

Experimental and DFT Study of the Photoluminescent Green Emission Band of Halogenated (-F, -Cl, and -Br) Imines.

The morphological, optical, and structural changes in crystalline chiral imines derived from 2-naphthaldehyde as a result of changing the -F, -Cl, and -Br halogen (-X) atoms are reported. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical absorption, photoluminescence (PL), and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies were performed. Theoretical results of optical and structural properties were calculated using the PBE1PBE hybrid functional and compared with the experimental results. Differences in surface morphology, absorbance, XRD, and PL of crystals were due to the change of halogen atoms in the chiral moiety of the imine. Absorption spectra exhibited the typical bands of the naphthalene chromophore located in the ~200-350 nm range. Observed absorption bands in the UV region are associated with π→π* and n→π* electronic transitions. The band gap energy was calculated using the Tauc model. It showed a shift in the ~3.5-4.5 eV range and the crystals exhibited different electronic transitions associated with the results of absorbance in the UV region. XRD showed the monoclinic→orthorhombic crystalline phase transition. PL spectra displayed broad bands in the visible region and all the samples have an emission band (identified as a green emission band) in the ~400-750 nm range. This was associated with defects produced in the morphology, molecular packing, inductive effect and polarizability, crystalline phase transition, and increase in size of the corresponding halogen atoms; i.e., changes presumably induced by -C-X…X-, -C-X…N-, -C-N…π, and -C-X…π interactions in these crystalline materials were associated with morphological, optical, and structural changes.

Toxic Activity, Molecular Modeling and Docking Simulations of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry11 Toxin Variants Obtained via DNA Shuffling.

The Cry11 family belongs to a large group of δ-endotoxins that share three distinct structural domains. Among the dipteran-active toxins referred to as three-domain Cry11 toxins, the Cry11Aa protein from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) has been the most extensively studied. Despite the potential of Bti as an effective biological control agent, the understanding of Cry11 toxins remains incomplete. In this study, five Cry11 variants obtained via DNA shuffling displayed toxic activity against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. Three of these Cry11 variants (8, 23, and 79) were characterized via 3D modeling and analysis of docking with ALP1. The relevant mutations in these variants, such as deletions, insertions and point mutations, are discussed in relation to their structural domains, toxic activities and toxin-receptor interactions. Importantly, deletion of the N-terminal segment in domain I was not associated with any change in toxic activity, and domain III exhibited higher sequence variability than domains I and II. Variant 8 exhibited up to 3.78- and 6.09-fold higher toxicity to A. aegypti than Cry11Bb and Cry11Aa, respectively. Importantly, variant 79 showed an α-helix conformation at the C-terminus and formed crystals retaining toxic activity. These findings indicate that five Cry11 variants were preferentially reassembled from the cry11Aa gene during DNA shuffling. The mutations described in loop 2 and loop 3 of domain II provide valuable information regarding the activity of Cry11 toxins against A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus larvae and reveal new insights into the application of directed evolution strategies to study the genetic variability of specific domains in cry11 family genes.

Bone mineral density changes in lactating adolescent mothers during the first postpartum year.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare changes in whole body bone mineral density (wbBMD) during the first postpartum year in adolescent mothers with those of nulliparous adolescents. METHODS: The study included 21 adolescent mothers and 16 nulliparous adolescent non-indigenous Mexican women (State of Sonora) from a low income level. All mothers were assessed at 15 days (0.5 months), 3 months, and 6 months postpartum; 16 were measured at 12 months postpartum. Nulliparous adolescents were assessed in the same periods. Multiple regression models was used to assess adjusted associations of changes in wbBMD (by DPX-MD+ densitometer) with dietary calcium and physical activity assessments (estimated using pre-tested questionnaires), post menarche years, and number of breast feedings. RESULTS: At baseline, no differences were observed between nulliparous and adolescent mothers regarding age, post-menarche years, or BMD values. Changes in wbBMD of -0.56% and 0.77% were observed in mothers and nulliparous adolescents, respectively, after the first 3 months (P = 0.006). Changes in wbBMD in mothers were associated with number of breast feedings and changes in BMI. At 12 months postpartum, the BMD of adolescent mothers was similar to that of nulliparous adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: At 1 year postpartum, adolescent mothers exhibited BMD similar to those of nulliparous adolescents. This result is likely attributable to the breastfeeding practices adopted by mothers during late adolescence.

Caracterización de la resistencia in vitro a diferentes antimicrobianos en cepas de Staphylococcus spp. en una institución hospitalaria de la ciudad de Valledupar entre enero y julio de 2009 / Characterization of resistance in vitro to different antimicrobial in strains of Staphylococcus spp. in a hospital of the city of Valledupar between January and July 2009 / Caracterização da resistência in vitro a diferentes antimicrobianos em cepas de Staphylococcus spp. em uma instituição hospitalaria da cidade de Valledupar entre janeiro e julho de 2009

Los Staphylococcus spp. causan un amplio rango de infecciones sistémicas y localizadas en pacientes hospitalizados y comunitarios. Su alta patogenicidad y su creciente resistencia a múltiples antimicrobianos, entre ellos la meticilina, provocan elevadas tasas de morbimortalidad ocasionando un alto impacto epidemiológico. Objetivo: determinar el perfil fenotípico de resistencia a diferentes antimicrobianos en cepas del género Staphylococcus spp. Materiales y métodos: se recolectaron setenta y cinco cepas y se determinó susceptibilidad a diferentes antibióticos por el método de Kirby Bauer. La producción de beta-lactamasa se verificó mediante la prueba del nitrocefin. La resistencia a la meticilina en S. aureus se realizó usando Mueller Hinton con 4% de NaCl y oxacilina 6 µg/mL. La resistencia inducible a clindamicina se tamizó mediante la prueba del D-Test. Resultados: se aisló un 38% de estafilococos coagulasa negativa (SCN) y un 62% de S. aureus. Un 53% de los estafilococos fueron resistentes a penicilina: S. aureus con 58% y SCN 42%; un 47% de las cepas presentaron resistencia a meticilina: S. aureus con un 61% y SCN con un 39%; una cepa de S. aureus mostró resistencia inducible a la clindamicina (1,33%). En su mayoría, los estafilococos coagulasa negativa fueron aislados a partir de muestras de hemocultivos (31%) y los estafilococos meticilino-resistentes predominaron en muestras de heridas (46%), hemocultivo (29%) y punta de catéter (5%); gran parte de ellos procedía de UCI neonatal (25%), médica (21%) y cirugía (16%). Conclusiones:S. aureus y SCN se aislaron con mayor frecuencia en hemocultivos y heridas procedentes de UCI neonatal y cirugía. Los fenotipos de resistencia predominantes fueron para penicilina y oxacilina.

The Staphylococcusspp. they can cause a wide range of infections systemic and located in community and hospital patients. Its high pathogenicity and growing resistance to multiple antimicrobials including methicillin, causes high morbiditymortality rates, causing a high epidemiological impact. Objective: to determine the phenotypic profile of resistance to different antimicrobials in strains of the genus Staphylococcus spp. Materials and methods: collected 75 strains and determined them susceptibility to different antibiotics by the Kirby-Bauer method. The production of betalactamase check using the nitrocefin test. (Resistance to Methicillin in S. aureus was conducted using Mueller Hinton with 4% NaCl and oxacillin 6 µg/mL). Inducible clindamycin resistance tamizo by D-Test test. Results: they were isolated by 38% of staphylococcus coagulase negative (SNA) and 62% of S. aureus. 53% were penicillin resistant staphylococci: S. aureus with 58% and 42% SNA. 47% of the strains showed resistance to methicillin: S. aureus with 61% and SNA with 39%. A strain of S. aureus showed inducible resistance to clindamycin (1.33%). Coagulase negative staphylococci were isolated mostly from blood samples (31%), blood (29%), tip of catheter (5%) and came mostly from neonatal ICU (25%), medical (21%) and surgery (16%). Conclusions: S. aureus and SNA were isolated with greater frequency in blood and wounds from surgery and neonatal ICU. The predominant resistance phenotypes were penicillin and oxacillin.

Os Staphylococcus spp. causam uma ampla série de infecções sistemáticas e localizadas em pacientes hospitalizados e comunitários. Sua alta patogenicidade e sua crescente resistência a múltiplos antimicrobianos, entre eles a meticilina, causam taxas elevadas de morbimortalidade ocasionando um alto impacto epidemiológico. Objetivo: determinar o perfil fenotípico de resistência a diferentes antimicrobianos em cepas do gênero Staphylococcus spp. Materiais e métodos: se recoletaram setenta e cinco cepas, e determinou-se suscetibilidade aos diferentes antibióticos pelo método de Kirby Bauer. A produção de beta-lactamase verificou-se mediante a prova do nitrocefin. A resistência à meticilina en S. aureus realizou-se usando Mueller Hinton com 4% de NaCl e oxacilina 6 µg/mL. A resistência induzível a clindamicina se tamisou mediante a prova do D-Test. Resultados: se isolo um 38% de estafilococos coagulase negativa (SCN) e um 62% de S. aureus. Um 53% dos estafilococos foram resistentes à penicilina: S. aureus com 58% e SCN 42%; um 47% das cepas apresentaram resistência à meticilina: S. aureus com um 61% e SCN com um 39%; uma cepa de S. aureus mostrou resistência induzível á clindamicina (1,33%). Em sua maioria, os estafilococos coagulase negativa foram isolados a partir de amostras de hemoculturas (31%) e os estafilococos meticilino-resistentes predominaram em amostras de feridas (46%), hemocultura (29%) e ponta de cateter (5%); grande parte deles procedia de UCI neonatal (25%), médica (21%) e cirurgia (16%). Conclusões: S. aureus y SCN se isolaram com maior frequência em hemoculturas e feridas procedentes de UCI neonatal e cirurgia. Os fenótipos de resistência predominantes foram para penicilina e oxacilina.

Could giardiasis be a risk factor for low zinc status in schoolchildren from northwestern Mexico? A cross-sectional study with longitudinal follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Both giardiasis and zinc deficiency are serious health problems worldwide. In Mexico, the prevalence of G. intestinalis was estimated at 32% in 1994. It remains a health problem in northwestern Mexico. Recent surveys (1987, 1995, and 1999) reported zinc deficiency in the Mexican population. The association of giardiasis and malabsorption of micronutrients has been well documented, although the association with zinc remains controversial. This study investigated the association between giardiasis and zinc deficiency in schoolchildren from northwestern Mexico. METHODS: We combined a cross-sectional design with a longitudinal follow-up six months after parasite treatment. The baseline sample consisted of 114 schoolchildren (mean age 8.8 yr) from seven suburban public schools, grouped as Giardia-free (n = 65, 57%) and Giardia-infected (n = 49, 43%). Three stool analyses per child were done using Faust's method. Children with giardiasis received secnidazole. Serum zinc was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Height and weight were measured. Socioeconomic information was obtained in an oral questionnaire, and daily zinc intake was assessed using 24 hour-recalls. Pearson's correlation and ANCOVA and paired t-test analyses were used to determine the association between giardiasis and zinc status. RESULTS: Longitudinal analysis demonstrated a significant increase of the mean serum zinc levels in the Giardia-infected group six months after treatment (13.78 vs. 19.24 mumol/L mumol/L; p = 0.001), although no difference was found between the Giardia-free and the Giardia-infected groups (p = 0.86) in the baseline analysis. Z scores for W/A and H/A were lower in the Giardia-infected than in the Giardia-free group (p < 0.05). No difference was observed in the socioeconomic characteristics and mean daily intakes of zinc between the groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Giardiasis may be a risk factor for zinc deficiency in schoolchildren from northwestern Mexico.

Role of the employment status and education of mothers in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Mexican rural schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal parasitic infections are a public health problem in developing countries such as Mexico. As a result, two governmental programmes have been implemented: a) "National Deworming Campaign" and b) "Opportunities" aimed at maternal care. However, both programmes are developed separately and their impact is still unknown. We independently investigated whether a variety of socio-economic factors, including maternal education and employment levels, were associated with intestinal parasite infection in rural school children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 rural communities in two Mexican states. The study sites and populations were selected on the basis of the following traits: a) presence of activities by the national administration of albendazole, b) high rates of intestinal parasitism, c) little access to medical examination, and d) a population having less than 2,500 inhabitants. A total of 507 schoolchildren (mean age 8.2 years) were recruited and 1,521 stool samples collected (3 per child). Socio-economic information was obtained by an oral questionnaire. Regression modelling was used to determine the association of socio-economic indicators and intestinal parasitism. RESULTS: More than half of the schoolchildren showed poliparasitism (52%) and protozoan infections (65%). The prevalence of helminth infections was higher in children from Oaxaca (53%) than in those from Sinaloa (33%) (p < 0.0001). Giardia duodenalis and Hymenolepis nana showed a high prevalence in both states. Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Entamoeba hystolitica/dispar showed low prevalence. Children from lower-income families and with unemployed and less educated mothers showed higher risk of intestinal parasitism (odds ratio (OR) 6.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-22.6; OR 4.5, 95% CI 2.5-8.2; OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.5-7.4 respectively). Defecation in open areas was also a high risk factor for infection (OR 2.4, 95% CI 2.0-3.0). CONCLUSION: Intestinal parasitism remains an important public health problem in Sinaloa (north-western Mexico) and Oaxaca (south-eastern Mexico). Lower income, defecation in open areas, employment status and a lower education level of mothers were the significant factors related to these infections. We conclude that mothers should be involved in health initiatives to control intestinal parasitism in Mexico.

Dietary behavior and type 2 diabetes care.

OBJECTIVE: To explore risk factors modification, as well as barriers and facilitators for behavioral change in Mexican type 2 diabetics and their families. METHODS: Risk assessment and impact evaluation included measurements on anthropometrics, diet, physical activity, nutrition knowledge, and HbA(1c.) The intervention included discussion groups and promoted behavioral change on dietary risk, physical exercise, and basic diabetic knowledge of 48 urban diabetic patients and 38 relatives. The educational method consisted of cognitive reframing and situational problem solving during five meetings over an 8-month period. RESULTS: Diabetics were older and less educated than their participating relatives (55.8+/-11 and 34.7+/-13.7 years old, and 4.5+/-3.4 and 7.8+/-3.7 years of schooling, respectively). Factors such as diet, degree of obesity, physical activity and HbA(1c), reflected that 92% of diabetic patients and 83% of their relatives were at high health risk. After the intervention, nutritional knowledge and diet-health awareness increased (p=.013 and .001 respectively); however, no significant health-risks reduction was observed. DISCUSSION: Focus group analysis suggested that lack of support from family and health services, low income, neighborhood insecurity and misleading "popular knowledge" and advice are key barriers to behavioral change. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The study supports the understanding of constrains to health promotion campaigns and better health provider-patient interactions in Mexican population. Additionally, the study contributes to the general knowledge of ethnic socio-cultural environment influences over health care issues, primarily to diet modifications.

Causas que inciden en la automedicación con medicamentos y plantas medicinales en las mujeres del Reparto Primero de Mayo territorio Mántica Berio de la ciudad de León en los meses de agosto - octubre del año 2003 / Causes that affect the self-medication with medicines and medicinal plants in the women of the First May May Mántica Berio territory of the city of León in the months of August - October 2003

El presente estudio de investigación trata de identificar las causas que inciden en la automedicación con medicamentos y plantas medicinales en las mujeres del Reparto Primero de Mayo. Territorio Mántica Berio de la ciudad de León en los meses Agosto a Octubre del 2003. Así como, relacionar el número de mujeres que se automedican según la edad, con el nivel de escolaridad y ocupación de la población; describir las causas que contribuyen a la práctica de automedicación en la población y conocer el grupo de medicamentos, plantas medicinales y la frecuencia de uso en la automedicación en la población de estudio.

Presencia de la papila retrocuspídea en una población infantil de 3 a 12 años de Bogotá / Presence of retrocuspid papilla in 3- to 12-year-old children from Bogota

Antecedente: este estudio se basó en la observación de la papila retrocuspídea, una estructura descrita como característica normal de la unidad dentogingival. Objetivo: verificar la presencia de la papila retrosucpídea, por medio del examen clínico, e incluirla dentro de las características del periodonto normal en niños. Métodos: se tomó intencionalmente una muestra de 300 niños de Bogotá entre 3 y 12 años. Los criterios de estudio fueron presencia y ubicación de la papila retrocuspídea y, a partir de éstos, su forma color, volumen, aspecto, tamaño, base y consistencia. Se utilizó una gasa para secar la zona; por medio de la sonda periodontal se midió el tamaño, se determinó la consistencia y el cambio de color. Resultados: la estructura se presentó en un 81.4 por ciento de las niñas y un 75.7 por ciento de los niños, representando un 78.5 por ciento del total de la muestra. Se encontró la papila retrocuspídea en la mayoría de los casos con ubicación bilateral, forma ovalada, tamaño de 0-3 mm, consistencia blanda, color rojo, predominante base sésil y aspecto liso. Conclusiones: los resultados muestran que en el comportamiento de la papila retrocuspídea existe asociación entre género y tamaño, concluyendo que se presenta frecuentemente un tamaño mayor en las niñas que en los niños (p<0.0048)

Valor diagnóstico de la adenosín deaminasa en pacientes con pleuritis tuberculosa en la ciudad de Medellín 1991-1993

Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y prospectivo en 145 pacientes: 88 con diagnóstico de tuberculosis pleural confirmado por medio de cultivo o biopsia y 57 con derrame pleural no tuberculoso. Fue practicado en varias instituciones de salud de la ciudad de medellín durante el período de 1991-1993, con el fin de valorar la utilidad de la adenosín deaminasa en el diagnóstico de tuberculosis pleural. Se obtuvo para dicha prueba una sensibilidad de 92.04 por ciento y una especificidad de 89.47 por ciento, mostrando que la adenosín deaminasa es una importante herramienta diagnóstica de bajo costo en nuestro medio