Biochemical Composition and Related Potential Nutritional and Health Properties of Sobrassada de Mallorca.

'Sobrassada de Mallorca' is an EU PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) -qualified traditional food with important historical, social, and gastronomical relevance. However, its nutritional features are poorly characterized. Here, we studied 15 samples of Sobrassada de Mallorca (SM) and 9 samples of 'Sobrassada de Mallorca de Porc Negre' (SMBP), which are the two types of sobrassada that are PGI-protected. Their composition was assessed under the light of the EU Regulation 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims (NHC) made on food. Results show the notably high energetic density (588 and 561 kcal/100 g for SM and SMBP, respectively) due to the notable fatty acid (FA) content and the relatively high proportion of unsaturated FAs (≈61% of total FAs) is also noted, mainly oleic acid (39.7 and 45.7%). Moreover, analyses showed that 100 g of both types of 'Sobrassada de Mallorca' present a 'significant' content (at least 15% of the established Nutrient Reference Values) of vitamins A (241 and 232 µg), E (2.67 and 2.67 mg), B3 (3.50 and 2.43 mg), B6 (0.27 and 0.35 mg), B12 (0.65 and 0.56 µg), phosphorus (271 and 186 mg), and selenium (17.3 and 16.2 µg) as defined by the EU standards and, in essence, their associated health benefits can be claimed for both SM and SMBP or foods containing them. In principle, SM and SMBP could be associated with various health claims (HC), including those related to energy-yielding metabolism, normal functioning of the immune system, and reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

Dificultades y vulnerabilidades de la niñez migrante durante la pandemia por covid-19 / Difficulties and vulnerabilities for migrant children in Chile during the COVID-19 pandemic / Perspectivas das crianças migrantes no Chile durante a pandemia da Covid-19

(analítico) Considerando la necesidad de escuchar a niños y niñas migrantes, examinamos desde su mirada las dificultades y vulnerabilidades a las que ellos, ellas y sus familias se enfrentaron durante las cuarentenas, en la pandemia por covid-19 en Chile; durante ellas mantuvieron clases a distancia, en línea o por guías de trabajo. Hicimos entrevistas semiestructuradas con guión temático -utilizando técnicas gráficas- a 37 niños y niñas migrantes de Latinoamérica, y realizamos análisis de contenido. Evidenciamos que las familias migrantes, desde la mirada de los niños y niñas, se han visto expuestas a dificultades y preocupaciones (dada la distancia física entre familiares), vulnerabilidades económicas, falta de redes familiares y dificultades en la organización del trabajo productivo y reproductivo; en cada caso desde los puntos de vista objetivo y subjetivo.

(analytical) After identifying the need to listen to migrant children regarding the vulnerability they and their families faced during the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile, we sought to examine the difficulties and vulnerabilities faced by their families from their point of view. Semistructured interviews with thematic scripts and graphic support were conducted with 37 children whose families had migrated from other countries in Latin America. Content analysis was carried out using the data collected during these interviews. According to these children, it was evident that migrant families faced a number of difficulties and vulnerabilities during the pandemic that included: physical distance between family members; economic vulnerabilities; lack of family support networks; and difficulties with accessing work. These vulnerabilities were evidenced using both objective and subjective points of view.

(analítico) Considerando a necessidade de ouvir a voz das crianças migrantes a respeito das vulnerabilidades enfrentadas por suas famílias durante o período de aulas online durante a pandemia da Covid-19 no Chile, procuramos examinar as dificuldades e vulnerabilidades enfrentadas por suas famílias a partir de seu ponto de vista. Foram realizadas entrevistas semi-estruturadas com roteiros temáticos, utilizando técnicas gráficas, com 37 crianças migrantes latino-americanas, e foi realizada uma análise de conteúdo. Tornou-se evidente que as famílias migrantes, do ponto de vista das crianças, foram expostas a dificuldades e preocupações, dada a distância física entre os membros da família; vulnerabilidades econômicas e falta de redes familiares; e dificuldades na organização do trabalho produtivo e reprodutivo. As vulnerabilidades são evidentes de um ponto de vista objetivo e subjetivo.

Factores de riesgo, predictores y tratamiento de hipocalcemia en pacientes sometidos a tiroidectomía / Risk factors, predictors and treatment of hypocalcemia in patients undergoing thyroidectomy

La tiroidectomía total es la intervención más frecuentemente realizada en cirugía endocrina. En manos de cirujanos experimentados el riesgo de hipocalcemia post- tiroidectomía disminuye; sin embargo, sigue siendo la principal complicación, alcanzando incidencia hasta 60%. Diversos factores son capaces de predecir el riesgo de hipocalcemia: bioquímicos, quirúrgicos, fisiopatológicos. Se realizó búsqueda en internet de artículos originales, revisiones sistemáticas y artículos de revisión en español e inglés, utilizando plataformas y motores de búsqueda (PubMed, Scielo, Biblioteca Virtual en Salud de Honduras, Google académico), período 2014-2023, utilizando los términos tiroidectomía, hipocalcemia, hipoparatiroidismo, para recopilar datos de diagnóstico, tratamiento y prevención de la hipocalcemia post-tiroidectomía. Se concluyó que la hipocalcemia es la complicación más común posterior a una tiroidectomía. Los predictores de hipocalcemia fueron el calcio sérico, hormona paratiroidea (PTH), vitamina D y magnesio preoperatorio. Los pacientes que desarrollen hipocalcemia deben manejarse según el calcio sérico evaluado la mañana siguiente a la cirugía...(AU)

Our Souls Look Back and Wonder: Reflections on Belonging and Being Invisible in Medicine.

Addressing the unequal impact of health disparities on historically marginalized communities is a top public health priority. Diversifying the work force has been lauded as key to addressing this challenge. Contributing to diversity in the workforce is the recruitment and retention of health professionals previously excluded and underrepresented in medicine. A major obstacle to retention, however, is the unequal way in which health professionals experience the learning environment. Through this perspective of 4 generations of physicians and medical students, the authors seek to highlight the similarities that have persisted over 40 years in the experiences of being underrepresented in medicine. Through a series of conversations and reflective writing, the authors reveal themes that spanned generations. Two common themes among the authors are the feeling of not belonging and feeling invisible. This is experienced in various aspects of medical education and academic careers. The lack of representation, unequal expectations, and over taxation contributes to the feeling of not belonging, leading to emotional, physical, and academic fatigue. Feeling invisible, yet paradoxically being hyper-visible, is also common. Despite the challenges, the authors conclude with a sense of hope for the future, if not for them, for the generations to come.

Strategies to increase primary care provider capacity for hepatitis C care: The California ECHO-PLUS study.

Expanding capacity to screen and treat those infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an essential element of the global elimination strategy. We evaluated the hub-and-spoke Project ECHO training versus telementoring models to educate, train and support HCV care by primary care providers in 13 targeted counties in northern California. A novel provider engagement strategy was used. Provider engagement and retention, time to readiness to treat HCV, and knowledge and confidence were the outcomes of interest. 94 participants from 60 unique clinics in the target counties participated in the ECHO-PLUS programme; 39.4% were physicians, 48.9% were advanced practice providers, and 11.7% were nurses. The median (range) participation time was 5 (1-49) hours. Confidence scores (minimum score = 13 and maximum score = 65) increased by a mean of 14.0 (SD:8.2) and 11.4 (SD:12.0) points for the hub-and-spoke and telementoring programmes, respectively (p = .53), with the largest changes in confidence seen in treating patients per guidelines, managing side effects and in serving as a consultant for HCV in their clinic. Among 24 participants with data on time to treatment, median time from beginner to experienced was 8 h (IQR:6-12) for hub-and-spoke and 2 h (IQR:1-2.4) for the telementoring programme (p = .01). A 'boots on the ground' approach to recruiting HCV champions was effective within rural communities. Both tele-ECHO hub-and-spoke and telementoring approaches to training primary care providers yielded increase in knowledge and confidence in HCV care and amplified the number of patients who were screened and treated. Telementoring accelerated the timeline of novice providers being 'ready to treat'.

A Pilot Study of a Palliative Care Service Embedded in a Hepatology Clinic at a Large Public Hospital.

Background: End-stage liver disease (ESLD) patients carry heavy symptom burdens and risk receiving aggressive and sometimes unwanted care at end of life. Palliative care (PC), which aims to alleviate symptoms and facilitate goal-concordant care in serious illness, may offer substantial benefits for ESLD patients but is not widely provided. Objectives: To assess the impact of PC integrated within hepatology (PCIH) services on health care utilization, advance care planning (ACP), and hospice enrollment. Design: We compared patients who received PCIH (n = 55) to a retrospective cohort (n = 57) receiving usual care in an outpatient hepatology clinic. Setting/Subjects: From June 2016 to November 2017, we enrolled patients receiving care in a U.S. public hospital clinic who met the following inclusion criteria: (1) ESLD with a Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score ≥20, (2) hepatology approval for PC referral, and (3) at least one advanced complication of ESLD. Measurements: We assessed patient demographics, clinical information, health care insurance status, health care utilization, completion of psychosocial assessments, and ACP using two-sided Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: Patients receiving PCIH more frequently had goals of care discussions (87.3% vs. 21.2% p ≤ 0.01), completed ACP documentation (56.4% vs. 7.0%, p ≤ 0.01), psychosocial assessments (98.2% vs. 35.1%, p ≤ 0.01), and hospice enrollment (25.5% vs. 7.0%, p = 0.01). Patients receiving PCIH who were hospitalized also had fewer mean hospitalization days (13 vs. 19.7 days, p ≤ 0.01). Conclusions: Embedding PC services in a hepatology clinic is a promising strategy to improve care for ESLD patients in public hospitals.

Gene expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), HIF regulators, and putative HIF targets in ventricle and telencephalon of Trachemys scripta acclimated to 21 °C or 5 °C and exposed to normoxia, anoxia or reoxygenation.

In anoxia-sensitive mammals, hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) promotes cellular survival in hypoxia, but also tumorigenesis. By comparison, anoxia-tolerant vertebrates likely need to circumvent a prolonged upregulation of HIF to survive long-term anoxia, making them attractive biomedical models for investigating HIF regulation. To lend insight into the role of HIF in anoxic Trachemys scripta ventricle and telencephalon, 21 °C- and 5 °C-acclimated turtles were exposed to normoxia, anoxia (24 h at 21 °C; 24 h or 14 d at 5 °C) or anoxia + reoxygenation and the gene expression of HIF-1α (hif1a) and HIF-2α (hif2a), two regulators of HIF, and eleven putative downstream targets of HIF quantified by qPCR. Changes in gene expression with anoxia at 21 °C differentially aligned with a circumvention of HIF activity. Whereas hif1a and hif2a expression was unaffected in ventricle and telencephalon, and BCL2 interacting protein 3 gene expression reduced by 30% in telencephalon, gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A increased in ventricle (4.5-fold) and telencephalon (1.5-fold), and hexokinase 1 (2-fold) and hexokinase 2 (3-fold) gene expression increased in ventricle. At 5 °C, the pattern of gene expression in ventricle or telencephalon was unaltered with oxygenation state. However, cold acclimation in normoxia induced downregulation of HIF-1α, HIF-2α, and HIF target gene expression in telencephalon. Overall, the findings lend support to the postulation that prolonged activation of HIF is counterproductive for long-term anoxia survival. Nevertheless, quantification of the effect of anoxia and acclimation temperature on HIF binding activity and regulation at the protein level are needed to provide a strong scientific framework whereby new strategies for oxygen related pathologies can be developed.

Clinicopathological and Perioperative Outcome of Appendiceal Tumors: Case Review of 31 Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Neoplasms of the appendix are quite rare and found in approximately 1% of appendectomy specimens. These neoplasms have been pathologically categorized into various subgroups depending on cell of origin, and surgical treatment varies according to histological subtype and disease stage. PURPOSE: The purpose of this case series review was to evaluate the clinicopathological presentation and survival outcome of a sample of patients with appendiceal tumors. METHODS: Before data collection, this project design was approved by the authors' institutional review board. Pathology records at our institution were reviewed for cases of appendiceal tumors from January 2007 to December 2016. A total of 31 patients were identified over this 10-year period. Retrospective data collection included patient demographics, presenting symptoms, tumor size, histologic diagnosis, initial and secondary management, perioperative and postoperative outcome, and survival benefits. RESULTS: Thirty one patients with four different appendiceal tumor subtypes were included in the study: Mucinous Cystadenoma, Mucinous Adenocarcinoma, Goblet Cell, and Carcinoid. The sample was comprised of 17 women (54.8%) and 14 men (45.2%) with an overall mean age of 50.1 (SD = 22.3). Subgroups of 13 (42%) patients had Carcinoid tumor, 12 (39%) had Mucinous Cystadenoma, four (13%) had Goblet cell tumor, and two (6%) had Mucinous Adenocarcinoma. The stage at presentation and tumor size also varied by histologic subtype. The most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain (64.5%), followed by a radiological identified mass (12.9%). Overall, 27 (87.1%) patients survived, and four (12.9%) were deceased. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this case series review provides a retrospective analysis of appendiceal tumor characteristics, follow up, and survival. Based on these results, the prognosis and management of patients with these tumors should be based on the histologic subtype and the extent of their disease.

Distinguishing nutrient-dependent plant driven bacterial colonization patterns in alfalfa.

To understand factors that influence the assembly of microbial communities, we inoculated Medicago sativa with a series of nested bacterial synthetic communities and grew plants in distinct nitrogen concentrations. Two isolates in our eight-member synthetic community, Williamsia sp. R60 and Pantoea sp. R4, consistently dominate community structure across nitrogen regimes. While Pantoea sp. R4 consistently colonizes plants to a higher degree compared to the other six organisms across each community and each nutrient level, Williamsia sp. R60 exhibits nutrient specific colonization differences. Williamsia sp. R60 is more abundant in plants grown at higher nitrogen concentrations, but exhibits the opposite trend when no plant is present, indicating plant-driven influence over colonization. Our research discovered unique, repeatable colonization phenotypes for individual microbes during plant microbiome assembly, and identified alterations caused by the host plant, microbes, and available nutrients.

Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment of nutritional status in pediatric patients with recent cancer diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: The subjective global assessment (SGA) is a simple, sensitive tool used to identify nutritional risk. It is widely used in the adult population, but there is little evidence on its effectiveness in children with cancer. OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study was undertaken to demonstrate significant correlation between a simplified version of the Patient-Generated SGA (PG-SGA) and anthropometric assessment to identify nutritional status in children recently diagnosed with cancer. METHODS: The nutritional status of 70 pediatric cancer patients was assessed with the PG-SGA and anthropometric measurements. The relation between the assessments was tested with ANOVA, independent samples t-test, Kappa statistic, and non-parametric Spearman and Kendall correlation coefficient. The PG-SGA divided the patients into four groups: well nourished, mildly, moderately and severely malnourished. RESULTS: The prevalence of malnutrition according to the PG-SGA was 21.4%. The correlations (r ≥ 0.300, p < 0.001) and the concordance (k ≥ 0.327, p < 0.001) between the PG-SGA and anthropometric indicators were moderate and significant. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the PG-SGA is a valid tool for assessing nutritional status in hospitalized children recently diagnosed with cancer. It is important to emphasize that the subjective assessment does not detect growth retardation, overweight or obesity.

Inhibition of the 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase induces orofacial defects in zebrafish.

BACKGROUND: Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are common birth defects, which include a range of disorders with a complex etiology affecting formation of craniofacial structures. Some forms of syndromic OFCs are produced by defects in the cholesterol pathway. The principal enzyme of the cholesterol pathway is the 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR). Our aim is to study whether defects of HMGCR function would produce orofacial malformation similar to those found in disorders of cholesterol synthesis. METHODS: We used zebrafish hmgcrb mutants and HMGCR inhibition assay using atorvastatin during early and late stages of orofacial morphogenesis in zebrafish. To describe craniofacial phenotypes, we stained cartilage and bone and performed in situ hybridization using known craniofacial markers. Also, we visualized neural crest cell migration in a transgenic fish. RESULTS: Our results showed that mutants displayed loss of cartilage and diminished orofacial outgrowth, and in some cases palatal cleft. Late treatments with statin show a similar phenotype. Affected-siblings displayed a moderate phenotype, whereas early-treated embryos had a minor cleft. We found reduced expression of the downstream component of Sonic Hedgehog-signaling gli1 in ventral brain, oral ectoderm, and pharyngeal endoderm in mutants and in late atorvastatin-treated embryos. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that HMGCR loss-of-function primarily affects postmigratory cranial neural crest cells through abnormal Sonic Hedgehog signaling, probably induced by reduction in metabolites of the cholesterol pathway. Malformation severity correlates with the grade of HMGCR inhibition, developmental stage of its disruption, and probably with availability of maternal lipids. Together, our results might help to understand the spectrum of orofacial phenotypes found in cholesterol synthesis disorders. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 106:814-830, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Inflammatory diseases modelling in zebrafish.

The ingest of diets with high content of fats and carbohydrates, low or no physical exercise and a stressful routine are part of the everyday lifestyle of most people in the western world. These conditions are triggers for different diseases with complex interactions between the host genetics, the metabolism, the immune system and the microbiota, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), obesity and diabetes. The incidence of these disorders is growing worldwide; therefore, new strategies for its study are needed. Nowadays, the majority of researches are in use of murine models for understand the genetics, physiopathology and interaction between cells and signaling pathways to find therapeutic solutions to these diseases. The zebrafish, a little tropical water fish, shares 70% of our genes and conserves anatomic and physiological characteristics, as well as metabolical pathways, with mammals, and is rising as a new complementary model for the study of metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Its high fecundity, fast development, transparency, versatility and low cost of maintenance makes the zebrafish an interesting option for new researches. In this review, we offer a discussion of the existing genetic and induced zebrafish models of two important Western diseases that have a strong inflammatory component, the IBD and the obesity.

Arterial stiffness and blood pressure self-measurement with loaned equipment.

BACKGROUND: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 415 hypertensive and normotensive subjects to determine the correlation between loaned self-measurement blood pressure (LSEM), arterial stiffness, and the different factors that contribute to it. METHODS: The LSEM model consists of lending a number of sphygmomanometers, property of the clinic, to patients for 3-day periods. Arterial stiffness was evaluated using the carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), using an automatic apparatus. To determine the importance of each of these factors, a multiple linear regression analysis was carried out. RESULTS: Of the total number of patients, 78% were women, the average age was 57 +/- 12 years, 55.8% were hypertensive, and 38.8% were diabetic. The PWV average for the whole group was 12.1 +/- 4.2 m/sec. The correlation coefficients between the PVW and the self-measurements were 0.49 (P <.001) for the pulse pressure, and 0.46 (P <.001) for the systolic blood pressure (BP), respectively. Both represented 13.0 % of the total variation. The diastolic BP obtained by self-measurement and the serum creatinine values also had an effect on the stiffness, with 2.3 % (P =.05) each one. CONCLUSIONS: The pulse pressure readings with self-measurement correlate better with the arterial stiffness, compared with the readings taken in the office.

[Is the cardioprotective effect of estrogens useful in menopause?]. / Es útil el efecto cardioprotector de los estrógenos en la menopausia?

Tendency of coronary mortality to occur about 10 years later in women than in men is a well known fact. This difference has been attributed to the presence of estrogens in women. Despite the performance of many experimental and observational studies on the heart-protecting effect of estrogens, there are a lot of methodological limitations which make it difficult to obtain definitive results. This revision, shows the experimental studies where it has been demonstrated that estrogens do not increase cardiovascular protection. Emphasis is focused on adverse effects, such as the development of breast and endometrial cancer. It is also emphasized that during menopause, a series of life style modifications can be implemented, such as exercising, stop smoking and loosing weight. Undoubtedly, the results will be cardiovascular health benefits, with minimum integral health risks.