Potentially harmful elements pollute soil and vegetation around the Atrevida mine (Tarragona, NE Spain).

Mining activity is one of the main sources to pollute soil, water and plants. An analysis of soil and plant samples around the Atrevida mining area in Catalonia (NE Spain) was preformed to determine potentially harmful elements (PHEs). Soil and plant samples were taken at eight locations around the mining area. The topsoil (0-15 cm) samples were analysed for physico-chemical properties by standard methods, by ICP-MS for Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn, and were microwave-digested. Plant, root and shoot samples were digested separately, and heavy metals were analysed by AAS. Translocation factor (TF), biological concentration factor (BCF) and biological accumulation factor (BAF) were determined to assess the tolerance strategies developed by native species and to evaluate their potential for phytoremediation purposes. Soil pH was generally acid (5.48-6.72), with high soil organic matter (SOM) content and a sandy loamy or loamy texture. According to the agricultural soil values in southern Europe, our PHEs concentrations exceeded the toxicity thresholds. The highest root content of the most studied PHEs appeared in Thymus vulgaris L. and Festuca ovina L., while Biscutella laevigata L. accumulated more PHEs in shoots. The TF values were > 1 in B. laevigata L., but BAF obtained < 1, except Pb. B. laevigata L., and can be considered potentially useful for phytoremediation for having the capacity to restrict the accumulation of large PHEs amounts in roots and Pb translocation to shoots.

[Preoperative chemotherapy and total parenteral nutrition in colon cancer]. / Quimioterapia pre-operatoria y nutrición parenteral total en la neoplasia de colon.

AIM: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of TPN after surgery in patients with colon carcinoma and preoperative chemotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study included 27 patients, 16 men and 11 women, with a mean age of 62.1 +/- 11.2 years. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had undergone chemotherapy (Group A; n = 11) or not (Group B, control; n = 16) prior to surgery. Almost two thirds of the patients were in stage III of the disease. Among those receiving this treatment, 60% were given 5-fluorouracil plus leucovorin at a dose of 5.5 +/- 2.7 cycles/patient and the others received different regimens. TPN was established early with a mean of 11.7 +/- 9.2 days. The clinical and nutritional assessment was performed before surgery and at the end of TPN administration. RESULTS: The mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.1 +/- 2.2 kg/m2. Comparison between the groups before the start of TPN showed statistically significant differences in red blood cell and platelet counts (P = .013 and P = .02, respectively). These differences had disappeared at completion of TPN, suggesting that this treatment can reverse the hematological changes induced by chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: In patients who receive chemotherapy before surgery and in whom TPN it was indicated the combination of these two treatments could be beneficial.

Regulation of the expression of the mitochondrial 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase gene. Its role in the control of ketogenesis.

We have explored the role of mitochondrial 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) synthase in regulating ketogenesis. We had previously cloned the cDNA for mitochondrial HMG-CoA synthase and have now studied the regulation in vivo of the expression of this gene in rat liver. The amount of processed mitochondrial HMG-CoA synthase mRNA is rapidly changed in response to cyclic AMP, insulin, dexamethasone and refeeding, and is greatly increased by starvation, fat feeding and diabetes. We conclude that one point of ketogenic control is exercised at the level of genetic expression of mitochondrial HMG-CoA synthase.

Quimioterapia pre-operatoria y nutrición parenteral total en la neoplasia de colon / Preoperative chemotherapy and total parenteral nutrition in colon cancer

Objetivo: Valorar el efecto de la NPT después de la cirugía en pacientes con neoplasia de colon y quimioterapia previa a la resección neoplásica. Material y método: Se incluyeron 27 pacientes (16 hombres y 11 mujeres) de 62,1 ± 11,2 años de edad. Los pacientes fueron divididos en 2 grupos considerando si recibían (Grupo A; n = 11) o no (Grupo B, control; n = 16) quimioterapia previa a la cirugía. Un 59% de los pacientes se encontraba en estadio III de la enfermedad recibiendo, el 60% de ellos, tratamiento con 5-fluorouracilo más leucovorin a razón de 5,5 ± 2,7 ciclos/paciente y el resto otras pautas diferentes. La NPT se instauró de forma precoz tuvo una duración media de 11,7 ± 9,2 días. La valoración clínica y nutricional se realizó antes de la cirugía y al final de la NPT. Resultados: El índice de masa corporal (ICM) medio fue de 24,1 ± 2,2 kg/m2. Al comparar ambos grupos antes del inicio de la NPT se hallaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el recuento de hematies y en el de plaquetas (p = 0,013 y p = 0,02, respectivamente). Estas diferencias desaparecieron al finalizar el tratamiento. Conclusion: La administración de NPT puede normalizarlos cambios hematológicos debidos a la quimioterapia, por lo que en los casos en que se administre antes de la intervención quirúrgica resulta una buena opción terapéutica (AU)

Aim: The objetive of this study was to determine the effect of TPN after surgery in patients with colon carcinoma and preoperative chemotherapy. Material and method: The study included 27 patients, 16 men and 11 women, with a mean age of 62.1 ± 11.2 years. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had undergone chemotherapy (Group A; n = 11) or not (Group B, control; n = 16) prior to surgery. Almost two thirds of the patients were in stage III of the disease. Among those receiving this treatment,60% were given 5-fluorouracil plus leucovorin at a dose of 5.5 ± 2.7 cycles/patient and the others received different regimens. TPN was established early with a mean of 11.7 ± 9.2 days. The clinical and nutritional assessment was performed before surgery and at the end of TPN administration. Results: The mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.1 ± 2.2 kg/m2. Comparison between the groups before the start of TPN showed statistically significant differences in red blood cell and platelet counts (P = .013 and P = .02, respectively). These differences had disappeared at completion of TPN, suggesting that this treatment can reverse the hematological changes induced by chemotherapy. Conclusion: In patients who receive chemotherapy before surgery and in whom TPN it was indicated the combination of these two treatments could be beneficia (AU)

Aporte dietético de suplementos en pacientes ancianos hospitalizados / No disponible

Fundamentos La prevalencia de la malnutrición hospitalaria y la edad hace que los pacientes ancianos sometidos a cirugía mayor sea un colectivo de alto riesgo con una evolución clínica adversa asociada a una mayor mortalidad. El objetivo del estudio es valorar el aporte nutricional dela dieta hospitalaria más suplementos, en pacientes ancianos con riesgo de desnutrición, durante siete días de ingreso en el hospital. Material y métodosSe estudiaron dos grupos: A, pacientes hospitalizados desnutridos o en riesgo de desnutrición (n=74) con una edad media de74,8±12,2 años (varones 53%) y B, un grupo control (n=70) con una edad media de60,8±10,8 años (50% varones). Los macronutrientes se prescribieron y contabilizaron del nomenclátor del Código de dietas del hospital. La ingesta real se estimó cualitativamente después de la entrevista con el paciente y los resultados cuantitativos se estimaron mediante el software DietSource 1.2. Al cálculo obtenido se le añadió el aporte proveniente del suplemento nutricional administrado (1-3 veces/día). Las dietas administradas fueron: basal(n=20), blanda III (n=19), líquida (n=14),blanda II (n=6), diabética (n=6), hiperproteica(n=5) y dietas de progresión (n=4). Resultados El suplemento más utilizado fue ClinutrenDessert® (n=48). Basalmente la comparación del aporte nutricional entre los grupos A y B, mostró niveles inferiores en los pacientes ingresados, con diferencias significativas en todas las variables excepto los carbohidratos. El incremento del aporte energético después de dar suplementos presentó una gran variabilidad individual (6.9-84.1%) pero incrementó el aporte de todos los nutrientes (coeficientes de correlación: r=0.926 a r=0.984; p<0.05).Conclusiones En pacientes ancianos hospitalizados, el aporte de nutrientes provenientes de la dieta es inferior al definido en las RDA internacionales pero con la administración de suplementos se consigue mejorar el aporte nutricional y aproximarse a los requerimientos teóricos (AU)

Background and aim The prevalence of hospital malnutrition together with advanced age makes elderly patients undergoing major surgery a high-risk population with an adverse clinical evolution and greater associated mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional supply provided by a hospital dietplus supplements in elderly patients at risk of malnutrition during seven days of hospitalization. Material and methods Two groups were studied: A) hospitalized patients who were undernourished or at risk of malnutrition (n=74) with a mean age of74.8±12.2 years (53% men) and B) a control group (n=70) with a mean age of 60.8±10.8 years(50% men). Macronutrients were prescribed and quantified according to the nomenclature of the hospital diet code. Ingestion was estimated qualitatively following an interview with the patient, and quantitative results were estimated using the DietSource software (1.2). The nutrients provided by the nutritional supplement administered (1-3 times per day) were added to this calculation. The following diets were administered: baseline (n=20), bland III (n=19), liquid(n=14), bland II (n=6), diabetic (n=6), hyperproteic(n=5) and progression diets (n=4).Results The supplement most frequently used was ClinutrenDessert® (n=48). In the baseline comparison of the nutritional contribution between groups A and B, lower levels were observed in the hospitalizedpatients, with significant differences in all the variables except carbohydrates. The increase in energy supply following supplementation showed wide individual variability (6.9%-84.1%), but it increased the supply of all the nutrients (correlation coefficients: r=0.926 to r=0.984; P<0.05).Conclusions In elderly hospitalized patients the nutritional supply provided by the diet is inferior to that defined in the international RDA. Nevertheless, with administration of dietary supplements, nutrition improves and approaches the theoretical requirements (AU)

La composición de los alimentos peruanos / The compostion of peruvian food

Analiza la composición y el valor energético de los siguientes alimentos: la leche y sus productos, los huevos, las carnes, los pescados, los crustáceos y moluscos, los cereales, granos y derivados, las leguminosas y derivados, las oleagnosas, las verduras, los tubérculos, las frutas, y las bebidas