Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Induced by Obesity, Gestational Diabetes, and Preeclampsia in Pregnancy: Role of High-Density Lipoproteins as Vectors for Bioactive Compounds.

Inflammation and oxidative stress are essential components in a myriad of pathogenic entities that lead to metabolic and chronic diseases. Moreover, inflammation in its different phases is necessary for the initiation and maintenance of a healthy pregnancy. Therefore, an equilibrium between a necessary/pathologic level of inflammation and oxidative stress during pregnancy is needed to avoid disease development. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are important for a healthy pregnancy and a good neonatal outcome. Their role in fetal development during challenging situations is vital for maintaining the equilibrium. However, in certain conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and other cardiovascular diseases, it has been observed that HDL loses its protective properties, becoming dysfunctional. Bioactive compounds have been widely studied as mediators of inflammation and oxidative stress in different diseases, but their mechanisms of action are still unknown. Nonetheless, these agents, which are obtained from functional foods, increase the concentration of HDL, TRC, and antioxidant activity. Therefore, this review first summarizes several mechanisms of HDL participation in the equilibrium between inflammation and oxidative stress. Second, it gives an insight into how HDL may act as a vector for bioactive compounds. Third, it describes the relationships between the inflammation process in pregnancy and HDL activity. Consequently, different databases were used, including MEDLINE, PubMed, and Scopus, where scientific articles published in the English language up to 2023 were identified.

[Parenting stress, maternal feeding styles related to preschooler body mass index]. / Estrés de la crianza, estilos maternos de alimentación y su relación con el índice de masa corporal del preescolar.

Introduction: Introduction: excess weight in childhood is influenced by multiple factors; parenting could contribute to this problem, given that during the infant stage the parents, and mainly the mother, are responsible for providing food and feeding their children. Objective: to explore the relationship of parenting stress and maternal feeding styles with preschool BMI. Materials and methods: a cross-sectional study. A total of 382 dyads, mother and child (3-5 years of age) participated. The children attended public preschool institutions. Participating mothers completed the Parenting Stress Scale and the Caregiver Feeding Styles Questionnaire. Weight and height were measured, and the child's BMI was calculated. Results: 34 % of the mothers more frequently used an indulgent style, 28.2 % of the preschool children had overweight-obese. Mothers with an authoritative style had the highest mean range of parenting stress compared to other categories (H = 15.302, gl = 3, p = 0.002). Maternal schooling, responsibility and demand dimensions were identified as contributing to preschooler BMI. Conclusion: parenting stress and feeding styles are variables that contribute to the risk of overweight-obesity in prescho.

Introducción: Introducción: el exceso de peso en la infancia se ve influenciado por múltiples factores; la crianza podría contribuir a este problema, dado que durante la etapa infantil son los padres y principalmente la madre los responsables de proporcionar alimento y de alimentar a sus hijos. Objetivo: explorar la relación del estrés de la crianza y los estilos maternos de alimentación con el IMC del hijo preescolar. Materiales y métodos: estudio transversal. Participaron 382 díadas madre e hijo, los últimos de 3-5 años. Los hijos asistían a instituciones públicas de educación preescolar. Las madres participantes contestaron la Escala de Estrés de la Crianza y el Cuestionario de Estilos de Alimentación del Cuidador. Se midió peso, talla y se calculó el IMC del preescolar. Resultados: el 34 % de las madres utilizaban con mayor frecuencia un estilo indulgente y el 28,2 % de los hijos preescolares tenía sobrepeso-obesidad. Las madres con estilo autoritario presentaban el rango promedio más alto de estrés de la crianza comparado con las otras categorías (H = 15,302, gl = 3, p = 0,002). Se identificó que la escolaridad materna, la dimensión de la responsabilidad y la demanda contribuyen al IMC del hijo preescolar. Conclusión: el estrés de la crianza y los estilos de alimentación son variables que contribuyen al riesgo de sobrepeso-obesidad en los hijos preescolares.

Applications and Pharmacological Properties of Cactus Pear (Opuntia spp.) Peel: A Review.

Nowadays, there is a growing interest in the exploitation of by-products from fruits and vegetables, generated from industrial processing or human feeding. Residues of popularly consumed fruits such as orange, lemon, banana, pomegranate, among others, have been widely described and studied; however, cactus pear (Opuntia spp.) residues, as a locally consumed product, have been forgotten. The whole fruit can be divided into the edible portion (pulp) and the non-edible portion (seeds and peel). Several studies mainly focus on the characteristics of the edible portion or in the whole fruit, ignoring by-products such as peels, which are rich in compounds such as phenols, flavonoids and dietary fiber; they have also been proposed as an alternative source of lipids, carbohydrates and natural colorants. Some uses of the peel have been reported as a food additives, food supplements, as a source of pectins and for wastewater treatment; however, there have not been any deep investigations of the characteristics and potential uses of the cactus pear peel (CPP). The aim of the present paper is to provide an overview of the current research on CPP. CPP has many bio-active compounds that may provide health benefits and may also be useful in pharmaceutical, food and manufacturing industries; however, greater research is needed in order to gain thorough knowledge of the possibilities of this by-product.

[Confirmatory factor analysis of the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire in Mexican mothers of preschool children]. / Análisis factorial confirmatorio del Cuestionario Integral de Prácticas de Alimentación en madres mexicanas de niños preescolares.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: identifying maternal attitudes and behaviors related to child feeding could be difficult since the underlying constructs are abstract and complex. Different questionnaires have been used to identify these constructs: one of the most widely used is the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire (CFPQ), which had been validated in different populations. However, no previous study ever validated the CFPQ in Mexican mothers. Material and methods: a process of cultural adaptation was done to adapt the CFPQ to Mexican mothers, and subsequently a confirmatory factor analysis was done. A total of 300 mother-preschooler pairs participated. Weight and height were measured and the nutritional status was obtained. Results: the CFPQ is a useful questionnaire to identify child feeding practices, since the model's goodness of fit indices were acceptable (CFI = 0.943, TLI = 0.937, NFI = 0.874 and RMSEA = 0.042), as was the internal consistency of the CFPQ. Conclusion: the CFPQ version that was translated into Spanish and adapted to Mexican mothers demonstrated significant internal reliability, and therefore is useful to identify and describe maternal child-feeding practices.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: identificar las actitudes y comportamientos de las madres en relación con la alimentación infantil puede resultar difícil ya que los constructos subyacentes son abstractos y complejos. Para identificar estos constructos se han utilizado diferentes cuestionarios: uno de los más utilizados es el Cuestionario Integral de Prácticas de Alimentación (CIPA), que se ha validado en diferentes poblaciones. Sin embargo, ningún estudio previo ha validado el CIPA en madres mexicanas. Material y métodos: se realizó un proceso de adaptación transcultural para adecuar el CIPA a las madres mexicanas y, posteriormente, se ejecutó un análisis factorial confirmatorio. Participaron 300 diadas madre-hijo/a en edad preescolar. Se realizaron mediciones del peso y la talla del preescolar y se obtuvo el estado nutricio. Resultados: el CIPA es un cuestionario útil para identificar las prácticas de alimentación infantil dado que los índices de bondad de ajuste del modelo fueron aceptables (CFI = 0,943, TLI = 0,937, NFI = 0,874 y RMSEA = 0,042), así como la consistencia interna. Conclusión: la versión del CIPA traducida al español y adaptada a las madres mexicanas demostró una fiabilidad interna significativa, por lo cual resulta útil para identificar y describir las prácticas maternas de alimentación infantil.

[Analysis of the psychometric properties of the Eating Behavior Self-efficacy Scale in Mexican adolescents]. / Análisis de las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Autoeficacia de la Conducta Alimentaria en adolescentes mexicanos.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: self-efficacy plays an important role in eating behaviors; for example, excess weight is associated with low EC and poor nutrition. The Eating Behavior Self-Efficacy Scale (EACA) identifies the ability to control the intake of healthy, and of high-calorie foods. Objective: to evaluate the psychometric properties of EACA in adolescents residing in northeast Mexico, and to analyze the relationship of self-efficacy with sex, age, and nutritional status of participants. Methods: confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were performed, and both reliability (internal consistency) and convergent validity of EACA were analyzed. A total of 467 adolescents who were studying the 7th to 9th grade of basic education, and who were residents in northeast Mexico were enrolled. Results: the goodness-of-fit indices of the proposed model were acceptable: CMIN/DF = 2.831; CFI = 0.952; GFI = 0.931; AGFI = 0.905; SRMS = 0.318, and RMSEA = 0.063), as was internal consistency (α = 0.90). Mean age was 13.54 years (SD = 0.93), and weight ranged from 30.9 to 130.4 kg (SD = 13.33). Conclusions: the CFA of the proposed model has a high internal consistency, and the four-factor structure has an adequate fit. It can be used to measure self-efficacy in relation to eating behavior in Mexican adolescents. It is recommended to test this model in similar populations.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: la autoeficacia (AE) desempeña un rol importante en las conductas relacionadas con la alimentación; por ejemplo, el exceso de peso se asocia con una baja AE y una alimentación inadecuada. La Escala de Autoeficacia de la Conducta de Alimentación (EACA) permite identificar la capacidad de control de la ingesta de alimentos saludables y de alimentos altamente calóricos. Objetivo: evaluar las propiedades psicométricas de la EACA en adolescentes residentes en el noreste de México y analizar la relación de la AE con el sexo, la edad y el estado nutricional de los participantes. Métodos: se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC) y se analizaron la fiabilidad (consistencia interna) y la validez convergente de la EACA. Participaron 467 adolescentes que cursaban entre el 7º y el 9º grado de educación básica, residentes en el noreste de México. Resultados: los índices de bondad del ajuste del modelo propuesto fueron aceptables: (CMIN/DF = 2,831; CFI = 0,952; GFI = 0,931; AGFI = 0,905; SRMS = 0,318 y RMSEA = 0,063), así como la consistencia interna (α = 0,90). La edad promedio era de 13,54 años (DE = 0,93) y el peso oscilaba entre 30,9 y 130,4 kg (DE = 13,33). Conclusiones: el AFC del modelo propuesto tiene una consistencia interna alta y la estructura factorial de cuatro factores tiene un ajuste adecuado. Puede utilizarse para medir la AE en relación con la conducta de alimentación de los adolescentes mexicanos. Se recomienda contrastar este modelo en poblaciones similares.

Flagellar expression in clinical isolates of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae.

PURPOSE: Haemophilus influenzae is a commensal organism found in the upper respiratory tract of humans. When H. influenzae becomes a pathogen, these bacteria can move out of their commensal niche and cause multiple respiratory tract diseases such as otitis media, sinusitis, conjunctivitis and bronchitis in children, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adults. However, H. influenzae is currently considered a non-flagellate bacterium. METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS: In this study, 90 clinical isolates of H. influenzae strains (typeable and non-typeable) showed different degrees of the swarm-motility phenotype in vitro.Keys findings. One of these strains, NTHi BUAP96, showed the highest motility rate and its flagella were revealed using transmission electron microscopy and Ryu staining. Moreover, the flagellar genes fliC and flgH exhibited high homology with those of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri. Furthermore, Western blot analysis, using anti-flagellin heterologous antibodies from E. coli, demonstrated cross-reaction with a protein present in NTHi BUAP96. CONCLUSION: This study provides, for the first time, information on flagellar expression in H. influenzae, representing an important finding related to its evolution and pathogenic potential.

Food Habits, Lifestyle Factors, and Risk of Prostate Cancer in Central Argentina: A Case Control Study Involving Self-Motivated Health Behavior Modifications after Diagnosis.

Cancer is the second most important non-communicable disease worldwide and disproportionately impacts low- to middle-income countries. Diet in combination with other lifestyle habits seems to modify the risk for some cancers but little is known about South Americans. Food habits of Argentinean men pre- and post-diagnosis of prostate cancer (n = 326) were assessed along with other lifestyle factors. We studied whether any of the behaviors and risk factors for prostate cancer were found in men with other cancers (n = 394), compared with control subjects (n = 629). Before diagnosis, both cases reported a greater mean consumption of meats and fats and lower intakes of fruits, green vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains than the controls (all p < 0.001). After diagnosis, cases significantly reduced the intake of meats and fats, and reported other dietary modifications with increased consumption of fish, fruits (including red fruits in prostate cancer), cruciferous vegetables, legumes, nuts, and black tea (all p < 0.001). Additional lifestyle aspects significantly predominant in cases included a reduced quality of sleep, emotional stress, low physical activity, tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, living in rural areas, and being exposed to environmental contaminants. Argentinian men were predisposed to modify their unhealthy dietary habits and other lifestyle factors after cancer diagnosis.

Hiperplasia paratiroidea en un adolescente / Parathyroid hyperplasia in an adolescente

El hiperparatiroidismo primario esporádico es una de las causas de hipercalcemia en la edad pediátrica. Constituye una entidad muy poco frecuente, más aún si es debido a hiperplasia paratiroidea. Se presenta el caso de un adolescente con historia de litiasis renal, hipercalcemia asociada a cifras elevadas de la hormona paratiroidea, e imágenes sugestivas de adenoma en paratiroide inferior izquierda por gammagrafía con sestamibi marcado con tecnecio-99m. Se realizó exéresis quirúrgica de la glándula afectada. El examen anatomo-patológico de la pieza arrojó hiperplasia paratiroidea. La presentación de este caso contribuye al reconocimiento del hiperparatiroidismo primario, entre las posibilidades diagnósticas al evaluar un paciente pediátrico con hipercalcemia(AU)

Sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism is one of the causes of hypercalcemia in pediatric ages. A very uncommon condition, it is even less frequent when caused by parathyroid hyperplasia. A presentation is provided of the case of an adolescent with a history of renal lithiasis, hypercalcemia associated to high parathyroid hormone values, and imaging suggestive of lower left parathyroid adenoma by gammagraphy with sestamibi marked with technetium-99m. Surgical exeresis of the affected gland was performed. Anatomopathological examination of the piece revealed the presence of parathyroid hyperplasia. This case presentation contributes to the recognition of primary hyperparathyroidism as one of the diagnostic possibilities when evaluating a pediatric patient with hypercalcemia(AU)

[Impact of the actions for the sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency in Cuba]. / Impacto de las acciones para la eliminación sostenible de la deficiencia de yodo en Cuba.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of the Sustainable Elimination of Iodine Deficiency Program through determination of urinary iodine and goiter prevalence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Cuban school children aged 6 to 11 years old in 2011-2012. A stratified multistage sample was used in which the levels of iodine excretion in urine (urinary iodine) and the presence of goiter were determined. RESULTS: The median urinary iodine was 176.3 µg/L; 7.6% of the students showed some deficiency of iodine, only 2.2% were below 50 µg/L (severe deficiency), and 15.3% had urinary iodine above 300 µg/L. The percentage of school children with optimal iodine nutrition was 43.5%, this category showed a significantly higher frequency (p=0.03) in the mountain areas (52.5%). Goiter prevalence was 17.6% which corresponds to a mild endemic. However, in the mountain area the prevalence was 32.6% (severe endemic). CONCLUSIONS: The comprehensive analysis of the impact of iodine deficiency control measures assessed by urinary iodine excretion and goiter prevalence reflects that it is no longer a population health problem in urban and rural areas of Cuba, attributable to a proper process of salt iodization. Nevertheless, high goiter prevalence is still observed in the mountain area of Cuba.

Impacto de las acciones para la eliminación sostenible de la deficiencia de yodo en Cuba / Impact of the actions for the sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency in Cuba

Objetivos: Evaluar la efectividad del “Programa de Eliminación Sostenible de Deficiencia de Yodo” mediante determinación de yoduria y prevalencia de bocio. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal en el cual se incluyó a la población escolar cubana de 6 a 11 años que cursaba estudios en el periodo 2011-2012. Se empleó un muestreo estratificado polietápico. En el cual se determinaron los niveles de excreción de yodo en la orina (yoduria) y la presencia de bocio. Resultados. La mediana de yoduria fue de 176,3 µg/L; el 7,6% de los escolares presentaron alguna deficiencia de yodo, solo el 2,2% estaba por debajo de 50 µg/L (deficiencia severa) y el 15,3% tenía yodurias por encima de 300 µg/L. El porcentaje de escolares con nutrición óptima de yodo fue de 43,5%, esta categoría presentó una frecuencia significativamente mayor ( p=0,03) en el estrato montaña (52,5%). La prevalencia de bocio encontrada fue de 17,6%, que corresponde a una endemia ligera. Sin embargo, en el estrato montaña se encontró una prevalencia de 32,6 % (endemia severa). Conclusiones. El análisis integral del impacto de las acciones de control de la deficiencia de yodo evaluado a través de la excreción urinaria de yodo y la prevalencia de bocio refleja que ha dejado de ser un problema de salud poblacional en los estratos urbano y rural de Cuba, atribuible a un adecuado proceso de yodación de la sal. Sin embargo, aún se observa una alta prevalencia de bocio en la zona de montaña de Cuba.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of the Sustainable Elimination of Iodine Deficiency Program through determination of urinary iodine and goiter prevalence. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Cuban school children aged 6 to 11 years old in 2011-2012. A stratified multistage sample was used in which the levels of iodine excretion in urine (urinary iodine) and the presence of goiter were determined. Results. The median urinary iodine was 176.3 µg/L; 7.6% of the students showed some deficiency of iodine, only 2.2% were below 50 µg/L (severe deficiency), and 15.3% had urinary iodine above 300 µg/L. The percentage of school children with optimal iodine nutrition was 43.5%, this category showed a significantly higher frequency (p=0.03) in the mountain areas (52.5%). Goiter prevalence was 17.6% which corresponds to a mild endemic. However, in the mountain area the prevalence was 32.6% (severe endemic). Conclusions. The comprehensive analysis of the impact of iodine deficiency control measures assessed by urinary iodine excretion and goiter prevalence reflects that it is no longer a population health problem in urban and rural areas of Cuba, attributable to a proper process of salt iodization. Nevertheless, high goiter prevalence is still observed in the mountain area of Cuba.

P-wave dispersion: a possible warning sign of hypertension in children.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension and obesity in adults have been linked to increased EKG P-wave dispersion; the association has been shown in relation to hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy and atrial enlargement. Though studies in children have linked P-wave dispersion to left ventricular hypertrophy, scant pediatric literature relates P-wave dispersion to hypertension and obesity. OBJECTIVE: Assess the association of P-wave dispersion with blood pressure and nutritional status in a pediatric population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study is part of the PROCDEC II project for pediatric hypertension diagnosis and control in Santa Clara, Cuba. Twelve-lead EKG and four blood pressure readings were conducted on a sample of 656 children aged 8-11 years. Blood pressure <90th percentile for age, sex and height was considered normal; 90th-95th percentile, prehypertension; and >95th percentile, hypertension. The main study variables were P-wave dispersion and systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Secondary variables were sex, height, weight, and body mass index. Comparisons of means, analysis of variance and linear correlations were done. RESULTS: Mean P-wave dispersion differed significantly (p ≤0.05) among normotensive (30.10 ms), prehypertensive (32.99 ms) and hypertensive children (39.14 ms), as did mean MAP (p <0.05). P-wave dispersion and MAP were significantly correlated in prehypertensive and hypertensive children. Most overweight and obese children with high P-wave dispersion were prehypertensive or hypertensive. CONCLUSIONS: Associations observed between P-wave dispersion and MAP in normotensive, prehypertensive and hypertensive children suggest potential for early detection of EKG patterns showing vulnerability. Given the relationship between increased P-wave dispersion and hypertension already described in adults, use of P-wave dispersion could be a simple, economical and noninvasive method of predicting risk of hypertensive cardiomyopathy in prehypertensive and hypertensive children; this in turn could guide timely, effective treatment and secondary prevention. Similar studies on a larger sample are needed to corroborate these results.

Telorragia en el lactante / Nipple discharge in an infant

A pesar de constituir la ectasia ductal la causa que con mayor frecuencia ocasiona sangrado a través del pezón en neonatos y lactantes, por la rareza de esta entidad, no deja de sorprender y agobiar a quienes la constatan. Se presenta un lactante masculino, de 8 semanas de nacido, cuyos padres acuden a la Consulta de Endocrinología por sangrado por ambos pezones. Ambas mamas, areolas y pezones mostraban características normales, solamente se halló sangrado con la presión, y el resto del examen físico no mostró alteraciones. La ecografía mamaria fue normal y el estudio citológico confirmó el diagnóstico de ectasia ductal primaria. En el paciente el sangrado cedió espontáneamente con resolución completa en varias semanas. Actualmente, con 3años y 8 meses de edad, no ha presentado nuevas manifestaciones. Por la rareza de su presentación en recién nacidos y lactantes, son muy escasos los informes de esta entidad en la literatura médica, y hasta el momento no hemos encontrado otras descripciones de esta infrecuente enfermedad en artículos nacionales cubanos, lo que motivó la presentación de este caso clínico(AU)

Despite the fact that duct ectasia is the most common cause of bloody nipple discharge in neonates and infants, this rare entity still surprises and causes stress on those who observe it. A male 8 weeks-old patient was presented. His parents took him to the endocrinology service because his two nipples were bleeding. His breasts, areolae, and nipples showed normal characteristics, just bleeding when squeezed; the physical exam did not show any alteration. The breast echography was normal and the cytological study confirmed the diagnosis of primary duct ectasia. The bleeding ceased spontaneously and he completely recovered after several weeks. At present, the patient is 3 years and 8 months-old and does not show any new manifestation. Due to the rareness of this illness in neonates and infants, data are very incomplete in medical literature. Other descriptions of this uncommon disease have not been found in the Cuban national literature, so this encouraged us to present this clinical case(AU)