Latin American consumption of major food groups: Results from the ELANS study

Background The Latin American (LA) region is still facing an ongoing epidemiological transition and shows a complex public health scenario regarding non-communicable diseases (NCDs). A healthy diet and consumption of specific food groups may decrease the risk of NCDs, however there is a lack of dietary intake data in LA countries. Objective Provide updated data on the dietary intake of key science-based selected food groups related to NCDs risk in LA countries. Design ELANS (Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health) is a multicenter cross-sectional study assessing food consumption from an urban sample between15 to 65 years old from 8 LA countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela). Two 24-HR were obtained from 9, 218 individuals. The daily intake of 10 food groups related to NCDs risk (fruits; vegetables; legumes/beans; nuts and seeds; whole grains products; fish and seafood; yogurt; red meat; processed meats; sugar-sweetened beverages (ready-to-drink and homemade)) were assessed and compared to global recommendations. Results Only 7.2% of the overall sample reached WHO's recommendation for fruits and vegetables consumption (400 grams per day). Regarding the dietary patterns related to a reduced risk of NCDs, among the overall sample legumes and fruits were the food groups with closer intake to the recommendation, although much lower than expected (13.1% and 11.5%, respectively). Less than 3.5% of the sample met the optimal consumption level of vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish and yogurt. Largest country-dependent differences in average daily consumption were found for legumes, nuts, fish, and yogurt. Mean consumption of SSB showed large differences between countries. Conclusion Diet intake quality is deficient for nutrient-dense food groups, suggesting a higher risk for NCDs in the urban LA region in upcoming decades. These data provide relevant and up-to-date information to take urgent public health actions to improve consumption of critically foods in order to prevent NCDs. Copyright

Adiposidad y patrón de grasa en jóvenes venezolanos por estrato social

La adiposidad y el patrón de grasa son indicadores de riesgo importantes en la identificación temprana de las enfermedades crónicas. Ambos se exploraron en 836 jóvenes de 11, 13 y 15 años del Estudio Condiciones de Vida, Fundacredesa 1996. Con la estratificación de Graffar- Méndez Castellano, se estableció el Grupo A mejores condiciones (estratos III+IV) y el Grupo B malas condiciones (estrato V). Se seleccionaron las variables: peso, talla, circunferencias: muslo, cintura y cadera; pliegues: tríceps, bíceps, subescapular y suprailíaco y las relaciones: Índice de Masa Corporal(IMC), índice de centripetalidad (IC), cintura/ cadera (C/C), cintura/ muslo (C/M) y sumatoria de pliegues (SP). Se comparó por sexo (t-Student) y estrato (ANOVA y componentes principales). Se controló el efecto de la adiposidad, IMC y edad sobre la distribución de grasa mediante una regresión lineal simple. La adiposidad total, está bien definida en ambos sexos, se estableció en la adolescencia temprana, privilegiando la periférica en las niñas y la central en el varón. Las niñas presentaron pliegues significativamente más altos que los varones (p<.05) y las diferencias se incrementaron con la edad. Los niños en mejores condiciones (Grupo A) presentaron pliegues más gruesos en tronco y extremidades y distribución más periférica de la grasa que en los del Grupo B. El primer componente tronco/extremidad y el segundo grasa del tronco superior/inferior explicaron 40,2% y 32,7% de la variabilidad. El IC y la C/C resultaron dependientes del IMC mientras que la C/M fue independiente del IMC, significativa por estrato y reflejó el predominio de una distribución central en varones y niñas del Grupo B. Los jóvenes del Grupo A presentan mayor adiposidad y una distribución más periférica. La relación cintura- muslo resulta el indicador de elección para caracterizar la distribución de grasa, por su independencia de la masa corporal total durante el crecimiento

Comunicar para el desarrollo: una propuesta de divulgación radiofónica en la lucha contra el hambre y la malnutrición en Nicaragua

Nicaragua presenta altos niveles de inseguridad alimentaria y nutricional. Predomina la deficiencia proteico-energ&eacute;tica y la carencia de nutrientes espec&iacute;ficos y al mismo tiempo presenta la superposici&oacute;n epidemiol&oacute;gica-nutricional y la doble carga de riesgos para la salud. Faltan conocimientos para optimizar los escasos recursos para adquirir productos de mayor valor nutricional. El objetivo fue contribuir a reducir el hambre y la desnutrici&oacute;n y mejorar la alimentaci&oacute;n y el estado nutricional de la poblaci&oacute;n del municipio nicarag&uuml;ense de Somotillo, a trav&eacute;s de estrategias educativas difundidas por el medio radiof&oacute;nico. Se ejecut&oacute; el programa &ldquo;Por una mejor nutrici&oacute;n&rdquo; en la radio (1 junio al 29 de julio, 2016) y se abordaron cuatro temas: conocimientos sobre alimentaci&oacute;n saludable, higiene alimentaria, enfermedades asociadas a la malnutrici&oacute;n y alimentaci&oacute;n del escolar y se acompa&ntilde;aron de tres c&aacute;psulas informativas cada uno, transmitidas 1v/s y 5v/s (8v/d&iacute;a), respectivamente, m&aacute;s una sesi&oacute;n 1v/s de respuesta a los oyentes (maestros y ni&ntilde;os escolares). Adem&aacute;s, se hizo una evaluaci&oacute;n cualitativa (grupo de discusi&oacute;n con maestros y promotores de salud) y se aplic&oacute; un cuestionario de 5 preguntas pre y post intervenci&oacute;n a 600 escolares seleccionados al azar en 20 escuelas rurales. Se encontr&oacute; dominio parcial del tema de higiene pre-intervenci&oacute;n y fallas en las acciones para prevenir las enfermedades que afectan el estado nutricional de los escolares (post intervenci&oacute;n). El programa benefici&oacute; a 2.349 estudiantes y familias. Esta experiencia puede mejorar el empoderamiento de las familias y la comunidad frente a los problemas de alimentaci&oacute;n y pr&aacute;cticas higi&eacute;nicas peligrosas existentes, pero requieren por parte de las comunidades garantizar la sostenibilidad y replicabilidad del mismo.Nicaragua has high levels of food and nutritional insecurity. Protein-energy deficiency and lack of specific nutrients predominate, while epidemiological-nutritional deficiencies and excess overlap and the double burden of health risks. There is a lack of knowledge in order to optimize scarce resources and to acquire products of greater nutritional value. The aim was to contribute to the reduction of hunger and malnutrition and to improve the diet and nutritional status of the population of the Nicaraguan municipality of Somotillo, through educational strategies broadcasted by radio. The program &ldquo;For better nutrition&rdquo; was carried out on the radio (1 June to 29 July 2016) and addressed four topics: knowledge of healthy eating, food hygiene, diseases associated with malnutrition and school feeding, and was accompanied by three information capsules, each transmitted 1/s and 5/s (8v/day), respectively, plus a 1/s response session for listeners (teachers and school children). In addition, a qualitative evaluation (discussion group with teachers and health promoters) and a questionnaire of 5 pre and post intervention questions were applied to 600 randomly selected schoolchildren in 20 rural schools. Partial mastery was found of the issue of pre-intervention hygiene and failures in actions to prevent diseases that affect the nutritional status of schoolchildren (post-intervention). The program benefited 2,349 students and families. This experience can improve the empowerment of families and the community in the face of existing food problems and dangerous hygiene practices

Anemia ferropriva em escolares da primeira série do ensino fundamental da rede pública de educação de uma região de Brasília, DF Iron deficiency anemia in first grade students from public schools in a region of Brasília, DF

A anemia ferropriva é a deficiência de micronutriente mais prevalente no mundo. É particularmente deletéria em escolares, pois crianças anêmicas são sonolentas e prestam menos atenção. Como conseqüência, pode levar ao alto absenteísmo e baixo rendimento escolar. Realizou-se um estudo transversal com amostra probabilística de 424 alunos de 6 a 11 anos, da 1ª série do ensino fundamental de escolas públicas da Regional Norte de Saúde de Brasília. Os objetivos foram avaliar a prevalência de anemia e comparar o resultado obtido em 2004 com aquele de estudo similar realizado na mesma área em 1998. A hemoglobina (Hb) foi determinada em amostra de sangue digital, usando Hemocue®. Dois pontos de corte foram adotados para classificar anemia, ambos estabelecidos pela Organização Mundial da Saúde: Hb<11,5g/dL e Hb<12,0 g/dL. O retardo pondero-estatural foi diagnosticado quando os indicadores Altura/Idade (A/I), Peso/Idade (P/I) e Peso/Altura (P/A) encontravam-se abaixo de -2,0 desvios-padrão da referência NCHS. A prevalência de anemia foi de 12,5% e 11,9% (Hb<11,5g/dL) e de 26,9% e 21,5% (Hb<12,0g/dL) em 2004 e 1998, respectivamente. A prevalência de anemia aumentou entre os inquéritos, mas não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa. Tampouco houve associação estatisticamente significativa entre retardo do crescimento e anemia. Observa-se presença importante de anemia entre os escolares, o que justifica a implementação de políticas públicas específicas para o enfrentamento do problema, a exemplo da fortificação de farinhas de trigo e milho com ferro, tornada obrigatória em 2004.<br>Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most prevalent micronutrient deficiency in the world. In school age children, IDA is particularly deleterious: anemic children are sleepy and pay less attention. As a consequence, anemia can lead to high absenteeism and lower school performance. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a representative sample of 424 randomly selected first graders (ages 6 to 11 years) from public schools located in the Northern Public Health Region of Brasília. The study objectives were to: (a) determine the prevalence of anemia; (b) compare the results obtained in 2004 to those of a similar survey conducted in the same area in 1998. Hemoglobin (Hb) was determined in finger-prick blood samples using Hemocue®. Two cut-off points were used to classify anemia, both established by the WHO: Hb<11.5g/dL and Hb<12.0g/dL. The height/age, weight/age and weight/height indicators below -2.0 standard deviations from the NCHS reference were used to indicate growth retardation. Prevalence of anemia was 12.5% and 11.9% (Hb<11.5g/dL) and 26.9% and 21.5% (Hb<12.0g/dL) in 2004 and 1998 respectively. The prevalence of anemia increased between the surveys, but the difference was not significant. There was no statistically significant association between growth retardation and anemia. A high prevalence of anemia was observed, which justifies the implementation of public policies to fight the problem, such as the fortification of wheat and corn flours with iron, mandatory since 2004

Recent Advances in Iridium-Catalysed Transfer Hydrogenation Reactions

This review focuses on the contributions of the last 5 years to the application of iridium complexes as homogeneous catalysts in transfer hydrogenation (TH) reactions. The reduction of carbonyls, imines, alkenes and alkynes is considered. The TH of unsaturated alkene-carbonyl substrates and heterocycles is particularly studied. Recent results on the reduction of CO2 are also included. Special attention is paid to THs performed in aqueous medium as well as to the development of TH in biological media. The employ of biomass-derived products as reagents or solvents in TH transformations is also reviewed. Finally, the proposed mechanisms for TH reactions are revised.Peer reviewe

Contemporary use of cefazolin for MSSA infective endocarditis: analysis of a national prospective cohort

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the real use of cefazolin for methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) infective endocarditis (IE) in the Spanish National Endocarditis Database (GAMES) and to compare it with antistaphylococcal penicillin (ASP). Methods: Prospective cohort study with retrospective analysis of a cohort of MSSA IE treated with cloxacillin and/or cefazolin. Outcomes assessed were relapse; intra-hospital, overall, and endocarditis-related mortality; and adverse events. Risk of renal toxicity with each treatment was evaluated separately. Results: We included 631 IE episodes caused by MSSA treated with cloxacillin and/or cefazolin. Antibiotic treatment was cloxacillin, cefazolin, or both in 537 (85%), 57 (9%), and 37 (6%) episodes, respectively. Patients treated with cefazolin had significantly higher rates of comorbidities (median Charlson Index 7, P <0.01) and previous renal failure (57.9%, P <0.01). Patients treated with cloxacillin presented higher rates of septic shock (25%, P = 0.033) and new-onset or worsening renal failure (47.3%, P = 0.024) with significantly higher rates of in-hospital mortality (38.5%, P = 0.017). One-year IE-related mortality and rate of relapses were similar between treatment groups. None of the treatments were identified as risk or protective factors. Conclusion: Our results suggest that cefazolin is a valuable option for the treatment of MSSA IE, without differences in 1-year mortality or relapses compared with cloxacillin, and might be considered equally effective