The Potential Link between Episodes of Diverticulitis or Hemorrhoidal Proctitis and Diets with Selected Plant Foods: A Case-Control Study.

Diverticulitis and hemorrhoidal proctitis in the population are significant public health problems. We studied the potential association between the intake of certain plant foods and diverticulitis or hemorrhoidal episodes through a case-control study including 410 cases and 401 controls. We used a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. The intake was additionally quantified according to a 24 h recall. The plant foods or derived food products were categorized by their main chemical components into ethanol, caffeine/theine/theobromine, capsaicin, alliin, acids, eugenol, and miscellaneous foods such as curcumin. The mean score for overall intake of plant foods under consideration was 6.3 points, and this was significantly higher in cases (8.5) than in controls (4.1). Overall intake was similar in cases presenting with diverticulitis or hemorrhoidal proctitis. Cases had 13 times the odds of being in the upper quartile for overall intake (>7 points), compared to controls. Explanatory logistic regression models showed that the strongest association with diverticulitis and hemorrhoidal proctitis was shown by the chemical food group of capsaicin, followed by ethanol, eugenol, caffeine/theine/theobromine, and acids. Neither alliin nor miscellaneous food groups showed any association. High, frequent consumption of capsaicin, followed by ethanol, eugenol, caffeine/theine/theobromine, and acids increase the risk of diverticulitis and hemorrhoidal proctitis.

Neurotransmitters and Behavioral Alterations Induced by Nickel Exposure.

BACKGROUND: Nickel ions (Ni2+) are a heavy metal with wide industrial uses. Environmental and occupational exposures to Ni are potential risk factors for brain dysfunction and behavioral and neurological symptoms in humans. METHODS: We reviewed the current evidence about neurochemical and behavioral alterations associated with Ni exposure in laboratory animals and humans. RESULTS: Ni2+ exposure can alter (both inhibition and stimulation) dopamine release and inhibit glutamate NMDA receptors. Few reports claim an effect of Ni2+ at the level of GBA and serotonin neurotransmission. At behavioral levels, exposure to Ni2+ in rodents alters motor activity, learning and memory as well as anxiety and depressive-like symptoms. However, no analysis of the dose-dependent relationship has been carried out regarding these effects and the levels of the Ni2+ in the brain, in blood or urine. CONCLUSION: Further research is needed to correlate the concentration of Ni2+ in biological fluids with specific symptoms/deficits. Future studies addressing the impact of Ni2+ under environmental or occupational exposure should consider the administration protocols to find Ni2+ levels similar in the general population or occupationally exposed workers.

[Study on drug use among students in the province of Valencia, Spain]. / Estudio sobre el consumo de drogas en estudiantes de la provincia de Valencia, España.

Drug use among youth has increased in recent years dramatically during adolescence, a key phase in the integral development of the individual. The main aim of this cross-sectional, descriptive study was to assess the current drug use trends, as a function of age and gender among secondary education students from representative centers in the Valencia province during the school year 2009-2010. A total of 328 adolescents, 44.8% (n=147) males and 55.2% (n=181) females, with a mean age of 15.61 (SD 2.5) years, divided in three age groups: 12-14 years old (n=134, 40.9%), 14-18 years old (n=123, 37.5%), and older than 18 years of age (n=71, 21.6%) participated in the study. Alcohol and tobacco, followed by cannabis, were the substances more commonly used by the secondary education students. There were statistically significant differences between the three age groups in lifetime use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines and tranquilizers. The highest prevalences were observed in students older than 18 years of age, therefore evidencing a common pattern of increase in substance use with age. Alcohol and tobacco use were significantly higher among girls compared to boys, while males more commonly used inhalants and opioids. Therefore, it appears essential to promote prevention campaigns at earlier ages, when adolescents are more vulnerable to initial substance use, and adapted to the specific needs of the diverse populations of school age children.

Estudio sobre el consumo de drogas en estudiantes de la provincia de Valencia, España / [Study on drug use among students in the province of Valencia, Spain].

Drug use among youth has increased in recent years dramatically during adolescence, a key phase in the integral development of the individual. The main aim of this cross-sectional, descriptive study was to assess the current drug use trends, as a function of age and gender among secondary education students from representative centers in the Valencia province during the school year 2009-2010. A total of 328 adolescents, 44.8

(n=147) males and 55.2

(n=181) females, with a mean age of 15.61 (SD 2.5) years, divided in three age groups: 12-14 years old (n=134, 40.9

), and older than 18 years of age (n=71, 21.6

) participated in the study. Alcohol and tobacco, followed by cannabis, were the substances more commonly used by the secondary education students. There were statistically significant differences between the three age groups in lifetime use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines and tranquilizers. The highest prevalences were observed in students older than 18 years of age, therefore evidencing a common pattern of increase in substance use with age. Alcohol and tobacco use were significantly higher among girls compared to boys, while males more commonly used inhalants and opioids. Therefore, it appears essential to promote prevention campaigns at earlier ages, when adolescents are more vulnerable to initial substance use, and adapted to the specific needs of the diverse populations of school age children.