Study on safety and efficacy of inulin and oligofructose in neonates.

Antecedents: L'aparell digestiu del nounat és ràpidament colonitzat després del naixement. El tipus d'alimentació podria influïr aquest procés. Les fórmules infantils tracten d'imitar l'efecte bifidogènic de la llet humana mitjançant l'addició de prebiòtics. Encara que estudis previs han avaluat els efectes dels prebiòtics en nounats, cap d'ells, va estudiar l'efecte de Orafti Synergy1 (inulina enriquida amb oligofructosa) durant els primers 4 mesos de vida. Objectiu: Demostrar l'eficàcia, seguretat i tolerància d'una fórmula infantil suplementada amb 0,8 g/dl de SYN1 durant els primers 4 mesos de vida. Mètodes: Diseny a doble cec, prospectiu, aleatoritzat i paral·lel amb 2 grupos de neonats alimentats amb fórmula infantil amb o sense (control) suplementació (0.8 g/100ml SYN1) durant 4 mesos. En paral·lel, també s'ha fet el seguiment d'un grup de nens alimentats amb llet materna (LM). Es va avaluar: antropometria, balanç hídric, paràmetres sanguinis, ingesta i acceptació de la fórmula, símptomes digestius, efectes adverses, comportament del nen, malalties, dermatitis atòpica, freqüència i consistència de les deposicions i microbiota fecal. Resultats: 252 nounats van ser assignats al grup control o grup suplementat (124 controls i 128 SYN1) i 131 al grup LM. Els nadons del grup suplementat (SYN1) van mostrar una composició de la microbiota més propera a la dels nadons amb LM, amb una tendència a un major recompte de Bifidobacteries. Les deposicions van ser més toves i la freqüència de deposicions va ser més alta en comparació amb els controls. No hi va haver diferències entre les fórmules en qualsevol dels paràmetres de seguretat i tolerància. Conclusió: Una fórmula infantil suplementada amb SYN1 0.8 g/dL durant els primers 4 mesos de vida és ben tolerada, segura i eficaç.Antecedentes: El aparato digestivo del recién nacido es rápidamente colonizado después del nacimiento. El tipo de alimentación podría influir este proceso. Las fórmulas infantiles tratan de imitar el efecto bifidogénico de la leche materna mediante la adición de prebióticos. Aunque estudios previos han evaluado los efectos de los prebióticos en recién nacidos, ninguno de ellos, estudió el efecto de Orafti Synergy1 (inulina enriquecida con oligofructosa) durante los primeros 4 meses de vida. Objetivo: Demostrar la eficacia, seguridad y tolerancia de una fórmula infantil suplementada con 0,8 g/dl de SYN1 durante los primeros 4 meses de vida. Métodos: Diseño a doble ciego, prospectivo, aleatorizado y paralelo con 2 grupos de neonatos alimentados con fórmula infantil con o sin (control) suplementación. En paralelo, también se ha hecho el seguimiento de un grupo de niños alimentados con leche materna (LM). Se evaluó: antropometría, balance hídrico, parámetros sanguíneos, ingesta y aceptación de la fórmula, síntomas digestivos, efectos adversos, comportamiento del niño, enfermedades, dermatitis atópica, frecuencia y consistencia de las deposiciones y microbiota fecal. Resultados: 252 recién nacidos fueron asignados al grupo control o grupo suplementado (124 controles y 128 SYN1) y 131 al grupo LM. Los bebés del grupo suplementado (SYN1) mostraron una composición de la microbiota más parecida a la de los bebés con LM, con una tendencia a un mayor recuento de bifidobacterias. Las deposiciones fueron más blandas y la frecuencia de deposiciones fue más alta en comparación con el grupo control. No hubo diferencias entre las fórmulas en cualquiera de los parámetros de seguridad y tolerancia. Conclusión: Una fórmula infantil suplementada con SYN1 0.8 g/dL durante los primeros 4 meses de vida es bien tolerada, segura y eficaz.Background: The newborn digestive tract is rapidly colonized after birth. Feeding type could influence this process. Infant formulas try to mimic the bifidogenic effect of human milk by addition of prebiotics. Although previous studies assessed the effects of prebiotics in newborns, none of these, to our knowledge, studied the effect of Orafti Synergy1 (oligofructose-enriched inulin) during the firsts 4 months of life. Aim: To demonstrate the efficacy, safety and tolerance of a 0.8 g/dL SYN1 supplemented infant formula during the firsts 4 months of life. Methods: In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled and parallel trial, formula fed healthy term newborns were randomized to receive a control (controls) or SYN1 supplemented infant formula (SYN1). Breastfed newborns (BF) were also followed up for comparison. Anthropometry, water balance, blood parameters, formula intake and acceptance, digestive symptoms, adverse events, child’s behaviour, infant’s illnesses, atopic dermatitis, stools frequency and characteristics and faecal microbiota were assessed. Results: A total of 252 formula fed infants were randomized at birth (124 controls, 128 SYN1) and 131 BF infants were recruited; after 4 months 68 controls, 63 SYN1 and 57 BF completed the study. SYN1 infants showed a microbiota composition closer to that of BF infants, with a trend towards higher Bifidobacterium cell counts, softer stools and a higher deposition frequency compared to controls. There were no differences between formulas in any of the safety parameters such as growth, relevant adverse events, water balance or blood parameters. Conclusion: A 0.8 g/dL SYN1-supplemented infant formula during the first 4 months of life is well tolerated, safe and effective, promoting a gut microbiota closer to that promoted by breastfeeding

Reduced bone mass in 7-year-old children with asymptomatic idiopathic hypercalciuria

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Background:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Idiopathic hypercalciuria (IHC), i.e. an elevated urinary calcium excretion without concomitant hypercalcemia, is a common disorder in children and can have a range of urinary clinical presentations and decreased bone mineral density (BMD). &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Aim:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; To assess the effect of IHC on bone mineral content in children without urological symptoms. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Calcium excretion, BMD (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), and anthropometry were assessed in 175 seven-year-old children who were classified as IHC or controls. Calcium intake and physical activity were measured as confounding factors. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; The prevalence of IHC was 17.7%. Both groups (controls and IHC) showed similar baseline characteristics in terms of their anthropometry, gender distribution, and protein and calcium dietary intakes as well as physical activity scores. Urinary calciuria was independent of the calcium dietary intake and anthropometry. BMD correlated with anthropometry and physical activity but not with calcium dietary intake. IHC children had lower whole-body BMD z-scores compared to controls. The role of IHC in reducing the whole-body BMD z-score was still significant even when anthropometry, physical activity, and calcium intake were included as confounders in multivariate analyses. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; The prevalence of IHC in this population of 7-year-old children was about 17%. IHC diagnosis was associated with lower BMD z-scores and osteopenia in 22% of them.</jats:p

Effects of infant feeding with goat milk formula or cow milk formula on atopic dermatitis: protocol of the randomised controlled Goat Infant Formula Feeding and Eczema (GIraFFE) trial

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition significantly affecting quality of life. A small randomised trial showed an approximately one-third lower incidence of AD in goat milk formula-fed compared with cow milk formula-fed infants. However, due to limited statistical power, AD incidence difference was not found to be significant. This study aims to explore a potential risk reduction of AD by feeding a formula based on whole goat milk (as a source of protein and fat) compared with a formula based on cow milk proteins and vegetable oils. Methods and analysis: This two-arm (1:1 allocation), parallel, randomised, double-blind, controlled nutritional trial shall enrol up to 2296 healthy term-born infants until 3 months of age, if parents choose to start formula feeding. Ten study centres in Spain and Poland are participating. Randomised infants receive investigational infant and follow-on formulas either based on whole goat milk or on cow milk until the age of 12 months. The goat milk formula has a whey:casein ratio of 20:80 and about 50% of the lipids are milk fat from whole goat milk, whereas the cow milk formula, used as control, has a whey:casein ratio of 60:40 and 100% of the lipids are from vegetable oils. The energy and nutrient levels in both goat and cow milk formulas are the same. The primary endpoint is the cumulative incidence of AD until the age of 12 months diagnosed by study personnel based on the UK Working Party Diagnostic Criteria. The secondary endpoints include reported AD diagnosis, measures of AD, blood and stool markers, child growth, sleep, nutrition and quality of life. Participating children are followed until the age of 5 years

The Obemat2.0 Study: A Clinical Trial of a Motivational Intervention for Childhood Obesity Treatment.

The primary aim of the Obemat2.0 trial was to evaluate the efficacy of a multicomponent motivational program for the treatment of childhood obesity, coordinated between primary care and hospital specialized services, compared to the usual intervention performed in primary care. This was a cluster randomized clinical trial conducted in Spain, with two intervention arms: motivational intervention group vs. usual care group (as control), including 167 participants in each. The motivational intervention consisted of motivational interviewing, educational materials, use of an eHealth physical activity monitor and three group-based sessions. The primary outcome was body mass index (BMI) z score increments before and after the 12 (+3) months of intervention. Secondary outcomes (pre-post intervention) were: adherence to treatment, waist circumference (cm), fat mass index (z score), fat free mass index (z score), total body water (kg), bone mineral density (z score), blood lipids profile, glucose metabolism, and psychosocial problems. Other assessments (pre and post-intervention) were: sociodemographic information, physical activity, sedentary activity, neuropsychological testing, perception of body image, quality of the diet, food frequency consumption and foods available at home. The results of this clinical trial could open a window of opportunity to support professionals at the primary care to treat childhood obesity. The clinicaltrials.gov identifier was NCT02889406

Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in cancer mortality in Barcelona: 1992–2003

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The objective of this study was to assess trends in cancer mortality by educational level in Barcelona from 1992 to 2003.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study population comprised Barcelona inhabitants aged 20 years or older. Data on cancer deaths were supplied by the system of information on mortality. Educational level was obtained from the municipal census. Age-standardized rates by educational level were calculated. We also fitted Poisson regression models to estimate the relative index of inequality (RII) and the Slope Index of Inequalities (SII). All were calculated for each sex and period (1992–1994, 1995–1997, 1998–2000, and 2001–2003).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Cancer mortality was higher in men and women with lower educational level throughout the study period. Less-schooled men had higher mortality by stomach, mouth and pharynx, oesophagus, larynx and lung cancer. In women, there were educational inequalities for cervix uteri, liver and colon cancer. Inequalities of overall and specific types of cancer mortality remained stable in Barcelona; although a slight reduction was observed for some cancers.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study has identified those cancer types presenting the greatest inequalities between men and women in recent years and shown that in Barcelona there is a stable trend in inequalities in the burden of cancer.</p

Famílies botàniques de plantes medicinals

Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona. Ensenyament: Grau de Farmàcia, Assignatura: Botànica Farmacèutica, Curs: 2013-2014, Coordinadors: Joan Simon, Cèsar Blanché i Maria Bosch.Els materials que aquí es presenten són els recull de 175 treballs d’una família botànica d’interès medicinal realitzats de manera individual. Els treballs han estat realitzat per la totalitat dels estudiants dels grups M-2 i M-3 de l’assignatura Botànica Farmacèutica durant els mesos d’abril i maig del curs 2013-14. Tots els treballs s’han dut a terme a través de la plataforma de GoogleDocs i han estat tutoritzats pel professor de l’assignatura i revisats i finalment co-avaluats entre els propis estudiants. L’objectiu principal de l’activitat ha estat fomentar l’aprenentatge autònom i col·laboratiu en Botànica farmacèutica

Fish consumption in mid-childhood and its relationship to neuropsychological outcomes measured in 7–9 year old children using a NUTRIMENTHE neuropsychological battery

Background Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), particularly n-3 LCPUFA, play a central role in neuronal growth and the development of the human brain. Fish is the main dietary source of n-3 LCPUFA. To assess the relation between fish consumption, estimated dietary n-3 LCPUFA intake and cognition and behaviour in childhood in a multi-centre European sample. Methods Children from 2 European studies, CHOP and NUHEAL, were assessed at 8 and 7.5 years of age, respectively. Different outcomes of neuropsychological development (assessed with the standardized NUTRIMENTHE Neuropsychological Battery (NNB) consisting of 15 subtests) were related with outcomes from a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) focussing on the consumption of fish. Results A total of 584 children completed the FFQ and the neuropsychological tests. We found no associations with calculated DHA or EPA intakes for any of the neuropsychological domains. Children who consumed 2 fish meals per week including one of fatty fish, showed no substantive differences in the cognitive domains from the children who did not. However negative associations with fatty fish consumption were found for social problems (p = 0.019), attention problems (p = 0.012), rule-breaking problems (p = 0.019) and aggressive behaviour problems (p = 0.032). No association was observed with internalizing problems. Higher levels of externalizing problems (p = 0.018) and total problems (p = 0.018) were associated with eating less fatty fish. Conclusions Children who consumed 2 fish meals per week including one of fatty fish were less likely to show emotional and behavioural problems than those who did not.0SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Effect of milk protein content in Toddler formula on later BMI and obesity risk: protocol of the multicentre randomised controlled Toddler Milk Intervention (ToMI) trial

Introduction: Reduction of milk protein content in infant formula provided during the first year of life has been shown to reduce early weight gain and obesity later in life. While rapid weight gain during the first 2 years of life is one of the strongest early predictors of obesity, the role of animal protein intake beyond the first year of life is unclear. The aim of this study is to examine the role of milk protein during the second year of life in healthy children on weight gain and obesity risk in preschool age. Methods and analysis: This randomised, double-blinded study enrolled 1618 children aged 11.5–13.5 months in Spain and Germany into two groups receiving isocaloric toddler milk with differing protein content during the second year of life. The experimental formula contains 1.5 g/100 kcal and the control formula 6.15 g/100 kcal protein and otherwise equal formula composition, except for modified fat content to achieve equal energy density. The primary endpoint is body mass index (BMI)-for-age z-score at the age of 24 months adjusted for BMI at 12 months of age. The children are followed until 6 years of age. Ethics and dissemination: Ethics approval was obtained from the ethical committees of the LMU University Hospital Munich, Germany (Nr. 555-15) and at Institut d’Investigació Sanitaria Pere Virgili, Reus, Spain (Ref. CEIm IISPV 013/2016). We aim at publishing results in peer-reviewed journals and sharing of results with study participants

Association of Protein Intake during the Second Year of Life with Weight Gain-Related Outcomes in Childhood: A Systematic Review

There is accumulating evidence that early protein intake is related with weight gain in childhood. However, the evidence is mostly limited to the first year of life, whereas the high-weight-gain-velocity period extends up to about 2 years of age. We aimed to investigate whether protein intake during the second year of life is associated with higher weight gain and obesity risk later in childhood. We conducted a systematic review with searches in both PubMed®/MEDLINE® and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Ten studies that assessed a total of 46,170 children were identified. We found moderate-quality evidence of an association of protein intake during the second year of life with fat mass at 2 years and at 7 years. Effects on other outcomes such as body mass index (BMI), obesity risk, or adiposity rebound onset were inconclusive due to both heterogeneity and low evidence. We conclude that higher protein intakes during the second year of life are likely to increase fatness in childhood, but there is limited evidence regarding the association with other outcomes such as body mass index or change in adiposity rebound onset. Further well-designed and adequately powered clinical trials are needed since this issue has considerable public health relevance