Age at adiposity rebound: determinants and association with nutritional status and the metabolic syndrome at adulthood.

OBJECTIVE: Early-life growth characteristics and in particular age at adiposity rebound (AR), have been shown to impact nutritional status later in life but studies investigating the association with long-term health remain scarce. Our aims were to identify determinants of age at AR and its relationship with nutritional status and cardiometabolic risk factors at adulthood. DESIGN: A total of 1465 subjects aged 20-60 years participated in this retrospective cohort study. Height, weight, waist circumference, blood glucose, lipids and blood pressure were measured at adulthood. Childhood weight, height, gestational age, birth weight and early nutrition were collected retrospectively from health booklets and age at AR was assessed. Participants self-reported parental silhouettes. Associations were assessed using multiple linear and logistic regression. RESULTS: An earlier AR was associated with higher body mass index and waist circumference at adulthood in both men and women (P<0.0001). In addition, women with an earlier occurrence of AR had higher triglyceride (P=0.001), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P=0.001), systolic (P=0.02) and diastolic blood pressure (P=0.04) at adulthood. Both men (odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)): 0.82 (0.70-0.95)) and women (OR (95% CI): 0.84 (0.73-0.96) with an AR occurring earlier were more likely to develop a metabolic syndrome. Larger parental silhouette was associated with an earlier AR. CONCLUSIONS: This long-term study showed that age at AR was associated with nutritional status and metabolic syndrome at adulthood. These results highlight the importance of monitoring childhood growth so as to help identify children at risk of developing an adverse cardiometabolic profile in adulthood. AR determinants for use in overweight surveillance were identified.

Skin Ultrasound in Kaposi Sarcoma. / Ecografía cutánea en el sarcoma de Kaposi.

The use of ultrasound imaging has recently been increasing in numerous dermatologic diseases. This noninvasive technique provides additional details on the structure and vascularization of skin lesions. Kaposi sarcoma is a vascular tumor that typically arises in the skin and mucosas. It can spread to lymph nodes and internal organs. We performed B-mode and color Doppler ultrasound studies in 3 patients with a clinical diagnosis of Kaposi sarcoma confirmed by histological examination. We found differences in the ultrasound pattern between nodular and plaque lesions, in both B-mode and color Doppler. We believe that skin ultrasound imaging could be a useful technique for studying cutaneous Kaposi sarcoma, providing additional information on the structural and vascular characteristics of the lesion.

Activity of Chinchilla laniger spermatozoa collected by electroejaculation and cryopreserved.

Because reproductive studies and the application of assisted reproductive techniques are relevant issues for an endangered species such as Chinchila laniger, the availability of a source of viable spermatozoa becomes of utmost importance. In this paper, we evaluate several functional parameters (motility, viability, response to hypoosmotic swelling test and acrosomal integrity) of fresh or frozen-thawed spermatozoa. Electro-ejaculation trials (50-cyc/sec sinusoidal wave was applied for 5 of every 10 sec) were successful in all unanesthetized animals. After volume (108.3 +/- 12.0 microL, n = 15) and concentration (421.8 +/- 34.4 x 10(6) cells/mL, n = 15) measurements, the above mentioned parameters were determined. In frozen-thawed semen samples sperm motility, viability, hypoosmotic swelling test and acrosomal integrity were significantly lower than in fresh semen samples. The results clearly indicated that electro-ejaculation is a useful method for evaluating spermatozoa for genetic analysis or for used in Al in this species. In addition, the cryopreservation procedure in this study preserved adequate levels of functional sperm activity.

Functional activity of epididymal Chinchilla laniger spermatozoa cryopreserved in different extenders.

Chinchilla laniger is an endangered species and improved cryopreservation of spermatozoa would constitute a significant advance in the development of assisted reproductive techniques in this species. The functional activity of epididymal spermatozoa from adult males was studied immediately after extrusion and after 24 hours incubation, and the ability of five extenders to protect these gametes during cryopreservation was determined. A decrease in sperm motility, viability, acrosome intact cells and response to hypo-osmotic swelling test was detected 24 hours later. The extenders here assayed showed well-defined differences in their cryoprotective ability; however such differences could not be attributed to any one of their individual components. The presence of TES plus Tris, the proportion of the individual constituents and/or the differences in metabolic substrate content could explain the above-mentioned finding. The results indicate that cryo-buffer II (TES-Tris-egg yolk-fructose-glycerol) is the most powerful protector of sperm functional activity in this species.

Paper and pencil vs online self-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) applied to university population: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To test the reliability of dietary intake data measured with an online food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) applied to a university population by comparing the results with those from a paper and pencil version. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 students were recruited from the second-year Food Technology course at the Universitat Politècnica de València (Comunidad Valenciana, Spain) in the academic year 2008-2009. The students were between the ages of 20-32. The participants completed both presentation modes of the FFQ (paper and pencil and online) in a cross-over study with a time interval of 3-week. To study the effect of ordering of the questionnaires, participants were randomly assigned to group A (paper and pencil FFQ first) and group B (online FFQ first). Both self-administered semi-quantitative presentations of the FFQ included 84 food items divided into six groups (dairy products; eggs, meat and fish; vegetables, legumes and fruits; bread, cereals and similar; oils, fats and sweets; beverages and pre-cooked). Participants were asked how frequently and how much each food item they had consumed in the previous year. RESULTS: The response rate was 78% (39 students, 23% men and 77% women). For the total sample, the median dietary intakes were higher for the paper and pencil FFQ than the online version for energy (2,077 vs. 1,635 kcal/day), proteins (96 vs. 88 g/day), carbohydrates (272 vs. 211 g/day), and fat (70 vs. 58 g/day), respectively. These differences were statistically significant. However, there were not significant differences between the two presentations when the consumption by groups of food was calculated, except for "beverages and pre-cooked" group. CONCLUSIONS: The pilot testing showed that this online FFQ is a useful tool for estimating the intake of food groups in this university population. On the other hand, the differences found in the results of the absolute quantities of energy and nutrients intakes were not clear. These differences could be due to the problems that the participants had for reporting portion size in the paper and pencil FFQ as photographs of portion sizes were not presented.

Design of a self-administered online food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess dietary intake among university population.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce and describe a new tool called UPV-FFQ to evaluate dietary intake of the university population. The new tool consists principally in a self-administered online food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The tool UPV-FFQ has been developed by means of web pages applying the technology ASP.NET 2.0 and using the database SQL Server 2005 as support. To develop the FFQ has been used as model the paper and pencil FFQ called "Dieta, salud y antropometría en la población universitaria". RESULTS: The tool has three parts: (1) a homepage, (2) a general questionnaire and (3) a FFQ. The FFQ has a closed list of 84 food items commonly consumed in Valencia region. The respondents has to indicate the food items that they consume (2 possible options), the frequency of consumption (9 response options) and the quantity consumed (7 response options). The UPV-FFQ has approximately 250 color photographs that represents to three portion sizes. The photographs are useful to help the respondents to choose the portion sizes that more adjusts to their habitual portions. The new tool provides quantitative information of the habitual intake of 31 nutritional parameters and provides qualitative information of the general questionnaire. A pilot study was done for a total of 57 respondents. The media time spend to fill in was 15 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: The pilot study concluded that the questionnaire was ease-of-use, low cost and time-effectiveness questionnaire. The format and the sequence of the questions were easily understood.

Coordination to metal centers: a tool to fix high energy conformations in organic molecules. Application to 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclododec-1-ene and related macrocycles.

The solid state conformational preferences of ligand 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclododec-1-ene (L1) and its 9-methyl derivative (L2) in transition metal complexes have been determined by a probabilistic method using data retrieved from the Cambridge Structural Database. These macrocyclic compounds, as ligands, tend to adopt a preferential conformation (85% of cases). The ring containing the C=N bond adopts a distorted half-chair conformation, the ring defined by both the N-sp(3) shows a distorted envelope conformation, and the remaining ring exhibits a chair conformation. This conformation corresponds to the enantiomer pair R(N5)S(N9)S(P)/S(N5)R(N9)R(P). Molecular mechanics calculations demonstrate that this is a high energy conformation for the organic molecule, far from the energy minimum. Two other enantiomer pairs are observed in experimental structures. The influence of the coordination on the conformation of the organic ligands has been studied by DFT calculations, and a clear correlation with the geometry of the coordination sphere has been found.

New technologies applied to food frequency questionnaires: a current perspective.

The food frequency questionnaires are widely used in epidemiological researches like dietary assessment method. Traditionally, they have been self-administered in paper but the use of information and communication technologies has led to develop Internet and computerized food frequency questionnaires. It is the objective of this article to offer a global perspective of the new technologies applied to FFQ. It will be presented the purpose of the food frequency questionnaire, the number of strengths of the web-based surveys versus print-surveys and finally, a description of the manuscripts that have used web-based and computerized FFQ.

Probabilistic model-based methodology for the conformational study of cyclic systems: application to copper complexes double-bridged by phosphate and related ligands.

A methodology for the conformational study of cyclic systems through the statistical analysis of torsion angles is presented. It relies on a combination of different methods based on a probabilistic model which takes into account the topological symmetry of the structures. This methodology is applied to copper complexes double-bridged by phosphate and related ligands. Structures from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) are analyzed and the chair, boat-chair and boat conformations are identified as the most frequent conformations. The output of the methodology also provides information about distortions from the ideal conformations, the most frequent being: chair <--> twist-chair, chair <--> twist-boat-chair and boat <--> twist-boat. Molecular mechanics calculations identify these distortions as energetically accessible pathways.

[Mid-term evaluation of a provincial program of diabetes]. / Evaluación a medio plazo de un programa provincial de diabetes.

The following were analysed with the object of evaluating a provincial diabetes programme (Institut Català de la Salut. Tarragona Management Areas): a) training activities for professionals in primary health care, and b) some indicators of effectiveness. Between 1987 and 1989, 192 professionals of the institution (89 doctors [46.3%], 85 nursing specialists [44.2%], and 18 members of other health care areas [9.5%]) took part in 8 basic courses on diabetes and diabetological education. A subjective (opinion questionnaires) and objective (written tests) increase in theoretic knowledge was recorded. Continuous counselling from the programme has encouraged the development of 11 initiatives in aiding diabetics (both care and education), in centres in 7 regions in the province of Tarragona, which are presently offered to a reference population of 188,000 inhabitants (30-35% of all users). A provincial census has been started up, with data at present on 2,052 diabetics (189, or 9.3%, type I and 1,863, or 90.7%, type II). A strong increase was recorded in provincial dispensing of insulins by pharmacies (50% higher than in 1985), as well as of material for glucoketonuric and glycemic self-analysis (7-8 times higher than in 1985). Requests for glycosylated hemoglobin from the primary sector rose from 53 in 1986 to 634 over the first six months of 1989. The programme has contributed to enhance the quality of primary aid to diabetics in our regions.

[Multicenter evaluation of a diabetes program in primary care in Tarragona]. / Evaluación multicéntrica de un programa de diabetes en la atención primaria de Tarragona.

To evaluate a provincial diabetes program for primary care in Tarragona 14 months after its implementation, the data provided by all centers were evaluated. The participants were 8 CAPS and the professionals of a rural area, with a reference population of 170,159. A total of 1,766 diabetic patients were sensed. 131 were type I (7.4%) and 1,635 type II (90.6%). The health care variables of 1,197 patients (67.7%) and the rate of complications of 654 (54.6%) were assessed. A high prevalence of hypertension (50.0%) and dyslipemia (40.5%) were found associated with diabetes. Overall 868 individuals (72.5%) received individualized education in the clinic; 112 of these (12.9%) were included in collective education programs for groups. At the time of this evaluation, the proportion of patients treated with insulin (174/545) was significantly higher than that found before the program (79/402, p less than 0.0001). The practice of glycemic self assessment at home was also significantly increased (82/691 versus 440/1, 124; p less than 0.0001). The initial impact on the professional and diabetic patients of our area has been remarkable. Although the planning of multicentric evaluation systems in complex, it is possible to implement it if the data and recording system are coordinated.

Storage of Chinchilla lanigera semen at 4 degrees C for 24 or 72 h with two different cryoprotectants.

The objectives of this study were to: (a) test the functional activity of Chinchilla lanigera spermatozoa suspended in either glycerol or ethylene glycol, cooled to 4 degrees C, and stored for 24 or 72 h and (b) investigate, after these cooling periods, the effects of incubating sperm at 37 degrees C (for 4 h) upon sperm functional activity. The ejaculate was mixed with the cryoprotectant medium (at 1 M final concentration) and cooled to 4 degrees C. After warming, sperm motility, sperm viability, hypoosmotic swelling test results, and acrosomal integrity were significantly higher for samples containing ethylene glycol than for those in glycerol, stored for 24 or 72 h, and then assayed after 0 or 4 h incubation at 37 degrees C. A significant reduction of sperm motility and viability was detected only when the glycerol cryoprotectant agent was employed, compared to the fresh samples. These results clearly indicate that under our experimental conditions, ethylene glycol is a better protectant for sperm storage than glycerol.