Epidemiology of Fractures in Children Younger Than 12 Months.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and characteristics of fractures in young infants attended at the pediatric emergency department (PED). METHODS: This is a retrospective study for 2 years (2011-2012) of children younger than 12 months attended with a fracture at the PED. Age, sex, site and type of fracture, mechanism of injury, time interval before seeking medical attention, and management were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred one patients were included. They represented 0.3% (95% confidence interval, 0.2%-0.4%) of all children younger than 12 months attended at the PED. The median age was 7.7 months (interquartile range, 5.2-10.1 months); 58 (57.4%) were boys. The most common fracture was skull fracture (58, 57.4%), mostly parietal, followed by long bone fractures (27, 26.7%); transverse and torus fractures were the most common types, located at the diaphysis and distal metaphysis, respectively. The principal mechanism reported was falling (83, 82.2%) mainly from furniture. Fifty-one patients (50.1%) were attended in the first 6 hours after injury. Sixty-five patients (64.4%) were admitted at the hospital and the other 9 (8.9%) were controlled in outpatient visits. One of them was injured because of negligence and another was diagnosed with osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS: Fractures in young infants are uncommon at the PED, the skull fracture being the most common. Pediatricians should alert caretakers of the risks in normal development to prevent these injuries. Fractures caused by child abuse should always be discarded.

Occurrence of lipophilic marine toxins in shellfish from Galicia (NW of Spain) and synergies among them.

Lipophilic marine toxins pose a serious threat for consumers and an enormous economic problem for shellfish producers. Synergistic interaction among toxins may play an important role in the toxicity of shellfish and consequently in human intoxications. In order to study the toxic profile of molluscs, sampled during toxic episodes occurring in different locations in Galicia in 2014, shellfish were analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), the official method for the detection of lipophilic toxins. The performance of this procedure was demonstrated to be fit for purpose and was validated in house following European guidelines. The vast majority of toxins present in shellfish belonged to the okadaic acid (OA) group and some samples from a particular area contained yessotoxin (YTX). Since these toxins occur very often with other lipophilic toxins, we evaluated the potential interactions among them. A human neuroblastoma cell line was used to study the possible synergies of OA with other lipophilic toxins. Results show that combination of OA with dinophysistoxin 2 (DTX2) or YTX enhances the toxicity triggered by OA, decreasing cell viability and cell proliferation, depending on the toxin concentration and incubation time. The effects of other lipophilic toxins as 13-desmethyl Spirolide C were also evaluated in vitro.

Development and validation of a generic methyltransferase enzymatic assay based on an SAH riboswitch.

Methylation of proteins and nucleic acids plays a fundamental role in epigenetic regulation, and discovery of methyltransferase (MT) inhibitors is an area of intense activity. Because of the diversity of MTs and their products, assay methods that detect S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) - the invariant product of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-dependent methylation reactions - offer some advantages over methods that detect specific methylation events. However, direct, homogenous detection of SAH requires a reagent capable of discriminating between SAH and SAM, which differ by a single methyl group. Moreover, MTs are slow enzymes and many have submicromolar affinities for SAM; these properties translate to a need for detection of SAH at low nanomolar concentrations in the presence of excess SAM. To meet these needs, we leveraged the exquisite molecular recognition properties of a naturally occurring SAH-sensing RNA aptamer, or riboswitch. By splitting the riboswitch into two fragments, such that SAH binding induces assembly of a trimeric complex, we engineered sensors that transduce binding of SAH into positive fluorescence polarization (FP) and time resolved Förster resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) signals. The split riboswitch configuration, called the AptaFluor™ SAH Methyltransferase Assay, allows robust detection of SAH (Z' > 0.7) at concentrations below 10 nM, with overnight signal stability in the presence of typical MT assay components. The AptaFluor assay tolerates diverse MT substrates, including histones, nucleosomes, DNA and RNA, and we demonstrated its utility as a robust, enzymatic assay method for several methyltransferases with SAM Km values < 1 µM. The assay was validated for HTS by performing a pilot screen of 1,280 compounds against the SARS-CoV-2 RNA capping enzyme, nsp14. By enabling direct, homogenous detection of SAH at low nanomolar concentrations, the AptaFluor assay provides a universal platform for screening and profiling MTs at physiologically relevant SAM concentrations.

Functional and Antioxidant Evaluation of Two Ecotypes of Control and Grafted Tree Tomato (Solanum betaceum) at Different Altitudes.

Tree tomato (Solanum betaceum) is susceptible to nematode attack; for this reason, grafting is used as an alternative to reduce this impact. In this study, the bioactive compounds of the fruit (shell, pulp, and seed jelly) of two tree tomato ecotypes ('giant orange' and 'giant purple') were evaluated in both control and grafted plants grown at different altitudes (2010-2250, 2260-2500, 2510-2750 and 2760-3000 masl). Commercial quality, vitamin C, organic acids, phenolics, carotenoids and antioxidant activity were determined by microextraction and quantified by liquid chromatography (RRLC) or spectrophotometry (microplate reader). The results showed high concentrations of vitamin C, organic acids and antioxidant activity in the seed jelly, organic acids in the pulp and phenolic compounds, carotenoids, and antioxidant activity in the shell. The main phenolics were ferulic acid, caffeic acid and luteolin, while the main carotenoids were lutein, B-cryptoxanthin and B-carotene. Multivariate analysis showed that tree tomato quality was mainly influenced by altitude and fruit part and that grafting positively affected soluble solids for both ecotypes and all altitudes.

Total calcaneal allograft reconstruction of an Ewing's sarcoma in a child: Outcome and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Ewing's sarcoma rarely presents in bones of the feet. Surgical management usually includes amputation. Limb sparing surgery is anecdotal. CASE: We report the case of a 13-year-old boy with an Ewing sarcoma in his calcaneus who had a calcaneal reconstruction with total calcaneus allograft after induction chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: At 42 months of follow-up our patient remains disease free and functionally intact. A review of the exceptional limb salvage procedure options for malignant calcaneus tumor was performed.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) in fish, seafood products and fish oil in Spain.

A total of 84 samples of wild and farmed fish, cephalopods and fish oils for animal feeding, traded in Spain, were analysed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) in 2009-2012, by gas chromatography-ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS-MS). The method was optimised for screening at moderate costs, allowing PCDD/Fs determination at 1 pg World Health Organization-toxic equivalent quantities (WHO-TEQ) g⁻¹ wet weight (w w) and dl-PCBs at 0.02 pg WHO-TEQ g⁻¹ w w. Concentrations in fish and cephalopods ranged from values below the limit of detection to 1.7 pg g⁻¹ WHO-TEQ sum PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs, considered as safe with regard to EU legislation. Higher levels were found in cod livers (5.4-54.2) and fish oils (3.3-30.7), with one noncompliant sample in each group.

Dietary uptake of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), occurrence and profiles, in aquacultured turbots (Psetta maxima) from Galicia, Spain.

Polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are one of the many toxic chemicals present in the environment and in the food we eat every day, being fish one of the main sources of persistent organic pollutants in our diet; like other lipid-related contaminants, they are of concern since they can bioaccumulate and biomagnify through the trophic chain. We published a study focused on the dietary uptake of dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls (dl-PCBs) in a set of samples of Spanish farmed turbot (Blanco et al., 2007). In the present paper, we extend the study to PBDEs to provide more information about the uptake and transfer from feed to fish of halogenated contaminants. PBDEs in the feeds (2.35-4.76 ng g(-1)) were reflected in turbot fillets (0.54-2.05 ng g(-1)): predominant congeners were tetra-BDE 47, penta-BDEs 99 and 100. It is remarkable that tetra-BDE 49, accounting for only 2% in the feed, contributed to 15% of total PBDEs in turbot fillets. Dietary net accumulation values, 30-45%, showed that tri-, tetra-, penta- and hexa-BDEs were as efficiently transferred into turbot as dl-PCBs and tetra- and penta-chlorinated PCDD/Fs. Lipid-normalized biomagnification factors relating concentration in fish and in feed, BMFs>1 were obtained, except for BDE 209. BDE 49 accumulation, 90%, was possibly contributed by metabolism of higher brominated BDEs. Implication in aquaculture management is a need for uncontaminated fish feed to offer safe products.

Nutrient involvement in preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific condition that increases maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. It is diagnosed by new-onset increased blood pressure and proteinuria during gestation; for many years these markers were the sole targets for study. More recently, increased attention to the multisystemic nature of the syndrome with involvement of almost all organs, activation of coagulation and increased sensitivity to pressor agents has expanded understanding of the disorder. The epidemiology of preeclampsia, being more common in poor women, long ago suggested that nutrients might be involved in the disorder. Numerous conflicting hypotheses were advanced but the testing of these hypotheses has either been done poorly or not at all. Review of the available data indicates very few studies that provide useful insights. In many studies the syndrome is poorly defined and in most studies nutritional data (questionnaires or biomarkers) are obtained on women with the clinical syndrome. In overtly preeclamptic women it is impossible to decipher cause from effect. Nonetheless, current concepts of the genesis of preeclampsia that include endothelial dysfunction, inflammatory activation, oxidative stress and predisposing maternal factors provide targets for well-designed nutritional investigation. In this review the current concepts of the pathogenesis of preeclampsia are reviewed and available data are assessed in light of these concepts. Targets for nutritional investigation based on the current knowledge of pathophysiology are suggested.

Composites para piezas posteriores: técnica clínica / Composites for posterior teeth: clinical technique

Clinical considerations to make successful posterior composite resins are an important hint for the professional to know. A new technique that may prevent leakage, enhancing marginal seal and different ways to handle polimerization shrinking are described

Rendimiento y composición química de las partes vegetativas del amaranto (Amaranthus hypochondriacus, L.) en diferentes etapas fisiológicas / Yield and chemical composition of the vegetal parts of the amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus, L.) at different physiological stages

El genero Amaranthus comprende las especies conocidas comúmente como bledos, que al igual que otros vegetables de consumo tradicional, son fuente de nutrientes esenciales para el hombre. Los bledos o amarantos tienen buena aceptación como parte dela dieta del guatemalteco, lo que debe aprovecharse para incrementar su cultivo. Fundados en lo expuesto, se llevó a cabo la presente investigación, buscando el estado de madurez fisiológica más adecuado de corte para el consumo de las hojas de amaranto. En el trabajo de campo se utilizó un diseño de bloques al azar con tres tratamientos y ocho repeticiones. Dichos tratamientos consistieron en realizar la cosecha a los 25, 40 y 60 días despues de la emergencia de las plántulas. Se evaluaron las variables: altura de planta, número de hojas, área foliar, peso bruto (peso de hojas y tallos), peso neto (peso de hojas), y rendimientos en materia verde, materia seca y proteína. Se determinó, asimismo, la composición química del material cosechado, que incluyó el análisis del contenido de materia seca, humedaden fresco, humedad residual, proteína, carbohidratos, extracto etéreo, fibra cruda, cenizas, calcio, fósforo, hierro, beta-carotenos y oxalatos. Los resultados obtenidos en el estudio agronómico fueron sometidos a análisis de varianza para el diseño respectivo, encontrandose una diferencia significativa entre tratamientos para todas las variables en estudio. Los resultados del análisis bromatológico fueron analizados a su vez, con un diseño por completo al azar, encontrándose diferencias significativas para la mayoría de las variables estudiadas, excepto en cuanto ea extracto etéreo, calcio, hierro y oxalatos...

Evaluación de diferentes niveles de harina de amaranto (partes vegetativas), en sustitución de harina de alfalfa para conejos en crecimiento / Evaluation of different levels of amaranth flour (vegetative parts), in substitution for alfalfa flour for growing rabbits

Las partes vegetativas del amaranto pueden ser un recurso muy útil para la alimentación de las especies animales debido a sus característicias químicas y al alto rendimiento que se obtiene cuando se cosecha de 45 a 60 días después de la siembra. Con el propósito de determinar el valor alimenticio del amaranto (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) para conejos en crecimiento, se evaluaron seis dietas que contenían harina de hojas y tallos de amaranto deshidratado en niveles de 0, 15, 30, 45 y 60% en sustitución de harina de alfalfa. Ajeno a ello, se elaboró una dieta con hojas y tallos de amaranto cocido al vapor durante 5 min previo a su desecación y molido, y se agregó a un nivel de 60%. De acuerdo a los hallazgos, la harina de amaranto contenía 17.8% de proteína y 12.4% de fibra cruda en comparación con la harina de alfalfa, cuyo contenido proteínico era de 22.0%, y el de fibra cruda, de 23.3%. Los resultados indicaron que la harina de amaranto puede sustituir eficientemente a la harina de alfalfa hasta en un 15% del total de la dieta. No obstante, mayores niveles inducen retardo en el crecimiento y un cuadro patológico caracterizado por nefrosis intersticial y edema, más fácilmente observado al nivel de 60% en la dieta. Los resultados revelaron, asimismo, que un tratamiento con vapor mejora la calidad nutricional de la harina de la planta del amaranto