Association between mediterranean diet and metal(loid) exposure in 4-5-year-old children living in Spain.

Even relatively low levels of metals exposure may impact health, particularly among vulnerable populations such as infants and young children. However, little is known about the interplay between simultaneous metal exposures, common in real-life scenarios, and their association with specific dietary patterns. In this study, we have evaluated the association between adherence to Mediterranean diet (MD) and urinary metal concentrations individually and as an exposure mixture in 713 children aged 4-5-years from the INMA cohort study. We used a validated food frequency questionnaire to calculate two MD indexes scores: aMED and rMED. These indexes gather information on various food groups within the MD and score differently. To measure urinary concentrations of cobalt, copper, zinc, molybdenum, selenium, lead, and cadmium as exposure biomarkers, we used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), coupled with an ion chromatography (IC) equipment for arsenic speciation analysis. We applied linear regression and quantile g-computation, adjusted for confounders, to analyse the association between MD adherence and exposure to the metal mixture. High adherence to MD such as the quintile (Q) 5 MD was associated with higher urinary arsenobetaine (AsB) levels than Q1, with ß values of 0.55 (confidence interval - CI 95% 0.01; 1.09) for aMED and 0.73 (CI 95% 0.13; 1.33) for rMED. Consumption of fish was associated with increased urinary AsB but reduced inorganic arsenic concentrations. In contrast, the aMED vegetables consumption increased urinary inorganic arsenic content. A moderate level of adherence to MD (Q2 and Q3) was associated with lower copper urinary concentrations than Q1, with ß values of -0.42 (CI 95% -0.72; -0.11) for Q2 and -0.33 (CI 95% -0.63; -0.02) for Q3, but only with aMED. Our study, conducted in Spain, revealed that adhering to the MD reduces exposure to certain metals while increasing exposure to others. Specifically, we observed increase in exposure to non-toxic AsB, highlighting the significance of consuming fish/seafood. However, it is crucial to emphasize the necessity for additional efforts in reducing early-life exposure to toxic metals, even when adhering to certain food components of the MD.

Effects of residential greenness on attention in a longitudinal study at 8 and 11-13 years.

In an urbanizing world, with 55% of the population living in cities, it is essential to design friendly and healthy ones. An emerging body of evidence has associated greenspace exposure with improved cognitive development, including attentional function; however, the longitudinal studies looking at the association with attentional function are still scarce. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the association of the exposure to greenspace and attention in school children. This study was based on 751 participants at 8 years and 598 at 11-13 years of two sub-cohorts of the INMA cohort study in Gipuzkoa and Asturias, Spain. Greenspace exposure at home was characterized using four indicators: (i) average of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and (ii) Vegetation Continuous Field (VCF) in buffers of 100 m, 300 m, and 500 m around the residential address, (ii) availability of a green space within 300 m from the residential address, and (iv) residential distance to green spaces. Participants' attention was characterized twice at ages of 8 and 11 years, using the computerized Attentional Network Test (ANT). General linear models were used for the cross-sectional analyses and linear mixed effects model for the longitudinal analyses. Our cross-sectional analyses showed a statistical significant protective association between average NDVI at 300 m and inattentiveness (-7.20, CI 95%: 13.74; -0.67). In our longitudinal analyses, although we generally observed beneficial associations between greenspace exposure and attention, none attained statistical significance. No statistically significant indirect effect were seen for NO2. Our findings add to the emerging body of evidence on the role of green spaces in neurodevelopment, which can provide the evidence base for implementing intervention aimed at promoting neurodevelopment in urban children.

Choice of the specialty of diagnostic radiology by results of the competitive examination to assign residency positions from 2006 to 2015. / Análisis de la elección de la especialidad de radiodiagnóstico en el examen MIR desde el año 2006 hasta 2015.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the profile of residency candidates choosing the specialty of diagnostic radiology in function of variables related to the positions available in different years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We compiled the data published on the Spanish Ministry of Health's website during the acts celebrated to allow residency candidates to choose positions based on the results of the competitive examinations held from 2006 to 2015, comparing the specialty of diagnostic radiology with the other specialties available in terms of positions available, net questions, sex, nationality, and order of choice of the position. RESULTS: The specialty of diagnostic radiology occupied the 16th position in the ranking of specialties according to the median number of order in the choice for each of the positions offered in the years studied. The first diagnostic radiology residency position was usually assigned after 75 candidates had chosen other specialties, and the last position was usually assigned after 3700 to 4100 candidates had chosen their positions. During the period studied, of those who chose diagnostic radiology 58% were women and 76% were Spanish nationality. Candidates preferred hospitals in the Autonomous Community of Madrid, and the hospital chosen with the lowest median position (highest score on the competitive examination) was the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic radiology is chosen by candidates with good positioning in the ranking according to official examination results, is less likely than other specialties to be chosen by women, and is chosen mostly by Spanish physicians. Candidates prefer large hospitals in provincial capitals.

Deficit of vitamin D in pregnancy and growth and overweight in the offspring.

BACKGROUND: Maternal vitamin D status during fetal development may influence offspring growth and risk of obesity; however, evidence in humans is limited. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether maternal circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) concentration in pregnancy is associated with offspring prenatal and postnatal growth and overweight. METHODS: Plasma 25(OH)D3 concentration was measured in pregnant women (median weeks of gestation 14.0, range 13.0-15.0) from the INMA (INfancia y Medio Ambiente) cohort (Spain, 2003-2008) (n = 2358). Offspring femur length (FL), biparietal diameter (BPD), abdominal circumference (AC) and estimated fetal weight (EFW) were evaluated at 12, 20 and 34 weeks of gestation by ultrasound examinations. Fetal overweight was defined either as AC or as EFW ⩾ 90th percentile. Child's anthropometry was recorded at ages 1 and 4 years. Rapid growth was defined as a weight gain z-score of >0.67 from birth to ages 6 months and 1 year. Age- and sex-specific z-scores for body mass index (BMI) were calculated at ages 1 and 4 years (World Health Organization referent); infant's overweight was defined as a BMI z-score ⩾ 85th percentile. RESULTS: We found no association of maternal 25(OH)D3 concentration with FL and a weak inverse association with BPD at 34 weeks. Maternal deficit of 25(OH)D3 (<20 ng ml(-1)) was associated with increased risk of fetal overweight defined as AC ⩾ 90th percentile (odds ratio (OR) = 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-2.21; P = 0.041) or either as EFW ⩾ 90th percentile (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.00-2.16; P = 0.046). No significant associations were found with rapid growth. Deficit of 25(OH)D3 in pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of overweight in offspring at age 1 year (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.02-1.97; P = 0.039); however, the association was attenuated at age 4 years (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 0.83-1.72; P = 0.341). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy may increase the risk of prenatal and early postnatal overweight in offspring. Clinical trials are warranted to determine the role of vitamin D in the early origins of obesity.

Pre- and postnatal exposure to tobacco smoke and respiratory outcomes during the first year.

The different role of prenatal and postnatal exposure to tobacco smoke in respiratory outcomes in infants has not yet been clearly established. Our objective is to assess the effects of these exposures on the risk of respiratory outcomes during the first year of life of infants from a Spanish multicenter cohort study. A total of 2506 women were monitored until delivery. About 2039 infants made up the final population. The outcomes were caused by the occurrence of the following: otitis, cough persisting for more than 3 weeks, lower respiratory tract symptoms (wheezing or chestiness), and lower respiratory tract infections (bronchitis, bronchiolitis, or pneumonia). The relationship between prenatal and postnatal exposure and health outcomes was explored using logistic regression analysis. Maternal smoking during pregnancy increased the odds for wheezing (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 0.99-2.01) and chestiness (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.03-2.01). Postnatal exposure from fathers was associated with otitis (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.01-1.54). Passive exposure at work of non-smoking mothers during pregnancy was related to cough (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.05-2.51). Exposure to tobacco smoke was related to a higher risk of experiencing respiratory outcomes in young infants. Prenatal exposure was that most clearly associated with the respiratory outcomes analyzed.

The popularity of neurology in Spain: An analysis of specialty selection. / Popularidad de Neurología en España: análisis de la elección de la especialidad.

INTRODUCTION: Neurology is one of the medical specialties offered each year to residency training candidates. This project analyses the data associated with candidates choosing neurology residency programmes in recent years. METHODS: Data related to specialty selection were obtained from official reports by the Spanish Ministry of Health, Social Services, and Equality. Information was collected on several characteristics of teaching centres: availability of stroke units, endovascular intervention, national reference clinics for neurology, specific on-call shifts for neurology residents, and links with medical schools or national research networks. RESULTS: The median selection list position of candidates selecting neurology training has been higher year on year; neurology was among the 4 most popular residency programmes in 2016. Potential residents were mainly female, Spanish, and had good academic results. The median number of hospitals with higher numbers of beds, endovascular intervention, stroke units, and national reference clinics for neurology is significantly lower. This is also true when centers are analysed by presence of specific on-call shifts for neurology residents and association with medical schools or national research networks. The centres selected by candidates with the highest median selection list position in 2012-2016 were the Clínico San Carlos, 12 de Octubre, and Vall d'Hebron university hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: Neurology has gradually improved in residency selection choices and is now one of the 4 most popular options. Potential residents prefer larger centres which are more demanding in terms of patient care and which perform more research activity.

Dissemination of health technologies: Trends in the use of diagnostic test in breast cancer screening.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse trends in the use of diagnostic test in breast cancer screening programs in Spain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 542,695 women who had undergone at least one screening mammogram in any of the screening centres of three administrative regions in Spain, between 1996 and 2011. Process measures were: overall recall rate, overall invasive test rate, and rates of each type of invasive test (fine-needle aspiration biopsy, core-needle biopsy and surgical biopsy). As results measures were included detection of benign lesions rate, ductal in situ cancer rate and invasive cancer rate. Adjusted by age rates were estimated year by year for each measure and, also, the annual percent of change and its corresponding joint points. RESULTS: Core-needle biopsy rates decreased between 1996 and 1999 and changed trends in 1999-2011 with an increase of 4.9% per year. Overall recall rate declined by 4.6% from 1999 to 2004, invasive test rate declined between 1996 and 2004 by 24.3%. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy rate changes were: a 22.4% declined per year (1996-1998), and 13.5% declined per year (1998-2005). Benign lesions rate decreased from 1996 to 2011, 21.4% per year (1996-2001) and 6.0% (2001-2011). Ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive cancer had no-statistically significant changes. CONCLUSION: The introduction of core-needle biopsy was slow and not concurrent with the reduction in the use of other diagnostic tests, but also represented a reduction in the rate of overall diagnostic tests and in the detection rate of benigns lesions without affecting the cancer detection rates.

[Rates of surgical wound infection in hip arthroplasty (2007-2015)]. / Tasas de infección de herida quirúrgica en artroplastia de cadera (2007-2015).

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence of surgical site infection in the hip replacement procedure during nine years of follow-up in a local public hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study conducted between 2007 and 2015, using the Clinical Indicators of Continuous Quality Improvement (INCLIMECC) tool. All primary hip prostheses and revisions were studied. The definitions, criteria and categories for surgical site infection were those estimated for the risk index of the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance of Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Crude and adjusted rates were calculated by risk index. RESULTS: A total of 999 interventions were included. The overall infection rate was 1.5% (95%CI: 0.75-2.25). Surgical prophylaxis was prescribed in 98.3% of the cases, and was adequate in 70.7%, with the main cause of inadequacy being its prolonged duration in 71.3%. The infection rate was 53%, being better than the rates published for Spanish hospitals INCLIMECC in the period 1997-2012. But they were 19% higher than those published for the USA according to the National Healthcare Safety Network, and 50% higher than expected according to data published for Europe by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. DISCUSSION: The infection rate in the present study is better than those described in the Spanish literature, but it is higher than those published for Europe and North America. Strategies for surveillance and control of infections associated with health care allow the evaluation of trends and the impact of prevention measures.

Top ten errors of statistical analysis in observational studies for cancer research.

Observational studies using registry data make it possible to compile quality information and can surpass clinical trials in some contexts. However, data heterogeneity, analytical complexity, and the diversity of aspects to be taken into account when interpreting results makes it easy for mistakes to be made and calls for mastery of statistical methodology. Some questionable research practices that include poor analytical data management are responsible for the low reproducibility of some results; yet, there is a paucity of information in the literature regarding specific statistical pitfalls of cancer studies. In addition to proposing how to avoid or solve them, this article seeks to expose ten common problematic situations in the analysis of cancer registries: convenience, dichotomization, stratification, regression to the mean, impact of sample size, competing risks, immortal time and survivor bias, management of missing values, and data dredging.