Effect of Salivary Flow on Bleached Enamel Roughness and Mineral Content: an In Situ and In Vitro Study.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of human saliva in vitro and salivary flow in situ on the roughness and mineral content of bleached enamel. Dental specimens were divided into five groups (n=15): not bleached (NB); bleached (35% hydrogen peroxide) and exposed to distilled water (DW); human saliva in vitro (IV); normal salivary flow in situ (NSF); and low salivary flow (LSF) in situ. Enamel roughness (Ra, Rz) and calcium/phosphorus contents were evaluated with laser profilometry and energy-dispersive spectroscopy, respectively, at baseline (T1), after bleaching (T2), and after seven days (T3). Salivary pH and buffer capacity were evaluated with colorimetric strips and salivary calcium and phosphorus with absorbance spectrophotometry. Data were analyzed with non-parametric tests and linear regression (α=0.05). After contact with saliva, Ra and Rz of LSF=DW>IV=NSF=NB was found. For DW and LSF, the roughness of T1

Cost-effectiveness analysis of grass pollen specific immunotherapy in children with allergic rhinitis compared to the standard of care symptomatic treatment in Portugal.

Summary: Background. Cost-effectiveness studies evaluating allergen immunotherapy (AIT) in children are scarce. We aim to compare the cost-effectiveness of subcutaneous (SCIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) against standard-of-care (SOC) treatment in children with grass pollen allergic rhinitis. Methods. We created a Markov model to compare the three strategies over a 10-year horizon. SOC was the reference to calculate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were used to assess models' uncertainty. Results. We obtained an ICER of € 12,605 and € 6,318 for SLIT and SCIT, respectively. In sensitivity analysis, SCIT was more cost-effective than SLIT. Conclusions. AIT is cost-effective in children with grass pollen allergic rhinitis, especially for the subcutaneous route.

Clinical practice guidelines on nutrition management in head and neck cancer: a systematic quality appraisal using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation 2nd edition instrument.

OBJECTIVE: Several guidelines have been produced for the management of nutrition in patients with head and neck cancer. However, no systematic evaluation of the quality of these guidelines has been performed to date. METHOD: A comprehensive search was conducted up to August 2020. The quality of guidelines was assessed by four independent reviewers using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation, 2nd edition. RESULTS: Nine guidelines were assessed for critical evaluation. Only two guidelines were classified as 'high quality'. The 'scope and purpose' domain achieved the highest mean score (75.5 ± 17.0 per cent), and the lowest domain mean score was 'applicability' (37.6 ± 23.0 per cent). CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the variability in the methodological quality of guidelines for the management of nutrition in head and neck cancer. These results may help to improve the reporting of future guidelines and guide the selection for use in clinical practice.

Dietary supplementation with whey protein improves systemic microvascular function in heart failure patients: a pilot study.

Endothelial dysfunction is a well-known component of the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF), with proven prognostic value. Dietary supplementation with whey protein (WP) has been widely used to increase skeletal muscle mass, but it also has vascular effects, which are less understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of WP supplementation on the systemic microvascular function of HF patients. This was a blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial that evaluated the effects of 12-week WP dietary supplementation on systemic microvascular function, in patients with HF New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes I/II. Cutaneous microvascular flow and reactivity were assessed using laser speckle contrast imaging, coupled with pharmacological local vasodilator stimuli. Fifteen patients (aged 64.5±6.2 years, 11 males) received WP supplementation and ten patients (aged 68.2±8.8 years, 8 males) received placebo (maltodextrin). The increase in endothelial-dependent microvascular vasodilation, induced by skin iontophoresis of acetylcholine, was improved after WP (P=0.03) but not placebo (P=0.37) supplementation. Moreover, endothelial-independent microvascular vasodilation induced by skin iontophoresis of sodium nitroprusside, was also enhanced after WP (P=0.04) but not placebo (P=0.42) supplementation. The results suggested that dietary supplementation with WP improved systemic microvascular function in patients with HF.

Dietary supplementation with whey protein improves systemic microvascular function in heart failure patients: a pilot study

Endothelial dysfunction is a well-known component of the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF), with proven prognostic value. Dietary supplementation with whey protein (WP) has been widely used to increase skeletal muscle mass, but it also has vascular effects, which are less understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of WP supplementation on the systemic microvascular function of HF patients. This was a blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial that evaluated the effects of 12-week WP dietary supplementation on systemic microvascular function, in patients with HF New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes I/II. Cutaneous microvascular flow and reactivity were assessed using laser speckle contrast imaging, coupled with pharmacological local vasodilator stimuli. Fifteen patients (aged 64.5±6.2 years, 11 males) received WP supplementation and ten patients (aged 68.2±8.8 years, 8 males) received placebo (maltodextrin). The increase in endothelial-dependent microvascular vasodilation, induced by skin iontophoresis of acetylcholine, was improved after WP (P=0.03) but not placebo (P=0.37) supplementation. Moreover, endothelial-independent microvascular vasodilation induced by skin iontophoresis of sodium nitroprusside, was also enhanced after WP (P=0.04) but not placebo (P=0.42) supplementation. The results suggested that dietary supplementation with WP improved systemic microvascular function in patients with HF.

Gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities integrated to chemical composition of Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão - A conservationist proposal for the species.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão (Aroeira-do-Sertão), Anacardiaceae, is one of the most used plants in folk medicine in Northeastern Brazil as an anti-inflammatory, healing and antiulcer. This species is threatened with extinction due to anthropogenic exploitation. The importance of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of a conservationist model of replacement of the M. urundeuva adult tree (inner bark) for its under developing plants (shoots) in order to ensure the preservation of this species, but also to ensure sufficient raw material for pharmaceutical purposes. AIM OF THE STUDY: To characterize chemically and assess the gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities of the fluid extracts from M. urundeuva innebark (adult plant) as well as stem and leaves of shoots (young plant). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The fluid extracts were prepared by maceration-percolation with hydroalcoholic solution according to the methodology described in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. These extracts were cleaned-up through solid phase extraction (SPE) and chemically characterized by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-QTOF MS/MS). Gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts (700 or 1000 mg/kg) were assessed on ethanol-induced gastric lesions and Croton oil-induced ear edema in rats, respectively. The extracts were evaluated for cytotoxicity in vitro. RESULTS: The UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis evidenced the presence of chalcones, flavonoids and tannins. Gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities achieved with fluid extracts from the stems and leaves was similar to inner bark. The fluid extracts were not toxic. CONCLUSION: It is possible to replace the inner bark of the adult tree for the stems and leaves from the shoots as raw material to be used in the preparation of its the phytotherapeutics. Therefore, this finding may help in the implementation of public policies that ensure the conservation of the species along with its sustainable use for pharmaceutical purposes.

Asthma and dietary intake: an overview of systematic reviews.

Epidemiological research on the relationship between diet and asthma has increased in the last decade. Several components found in foods have been proposed to have a series of antioxidant, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can have a protective effect against asthma risk. Several literature reviews and critical appraisals have been published to summarize the existing evidence in this field. In the context of this EAACI Lifestyle and asthma Task Force, we summarize the evidence from existing systematic reviews on dietary intake and asthma, using the PRISMA guidelines. We therefore report the quality of eligible systematic reviews and summarize the results of those with an AMSTAR score ≥32. The GRADE approach is used to assess the overall quality of the existing evidence. This overview is centred on systematic reviews of nutritional components provided in the diet only, as a way to establish what type of advice can be given in clinical practice and to the general population on dietary habits and asthma.

The effect of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids intake during pregnancy on adiposity of healthy full-term offspring at birth.

OBJECTIVE: The adjusted effect of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) intake during pregnancy on adiposity at birth of healthy full-term appropriate-for-gestational age neonates was evaluated. STUDY DESIGN: In a cross-sectional convenience sample of 100 mother and infant dyads, LCPUFA intake during pregnancy was assessed by food frequency questionnaire with nutrient intake calculated using Food Processor Plus. Linear regression models for neonatal body composition measurements, assessed by air displacement plethysmography and anthropometry, were adjusted for maternal LCPUFA intakes, energy and macronutrient intakes, prepregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain. RESULT: Positive associations between maternal docosahexaenoic acid intake and ponderal index in male offspring (ß=0.165; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.031-0.299; P=0.017), and between n-6:n-3 LCPUFA ratio intake and fat mass (ß=0.021; 95% CI: 0.002-0.041; P=0.034) and percentage of fat mass (ß=0.636; 95% CI: 0.125-1.147; P=0.016) in female offspring were found. CONCLUSION: Using a reliable validated method to assess body composition, adjusted positive associations between maternal docosahexaenoic acid intake and birth size in male offspring and between n-6:n-3 LCPUFA ratio intake and adiposity in female offspring were found, suggesting that maternal LCPUFA intake strongly influences fetal body composition.

O uso da maturação somática na identificação morfofucional em jovens jogadores de futebol / The use of somatic maturation in the morphofunctional identification in young soccer players

Objetivo. As modificações que ocorrem com os jovens nas idades anteriores ao pico de velocidade de crescimento (PVC) podem influenciar de maneira direta o seu desempenho nas atividades esportivas. Considerando esse pressuposto, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o efeito da maturação somática nas variáveis motoras e corporais de jovens futebolistas. Método. Os 45 sujeitos foram divididos em três grupos de acordo com a maturação somática e submetidos à avaliação antropométrica e a uma bateria de testes que analisaram a flexibilidade (banco de Wells), a potência aeróbia (Yoyo endurance teste, nível 1) e a potência anaeróbia (salto horizontal e vertical). Resultados. Os resultados da análise de variância demonstram que o desempenho no salto vertical com contra movimento (F = 5,10 e p = 0,01) e no salto horizontal (F = 7,19 e p = 0,002) é influenciado pelo nível maturacional, o mesmo ocorrendo para a flexibilidade (F = 6,83 e p = 0,02). Por outro lado, o desempenho no teste de potência aeróbia não foi afetado pelo nível maturacional. As variáveis corporais somatotipo e o recíproco do índice ponderal se mantiveram estáveis independentemente do grau de maturação; apenas foram verificadas diferenças nos valores corporais para o IMC. Conclusão: Assim, pode-se concluir que a determinação dos estágios maturacionais dada pelos anos em relação ao PVC (APVC) dentro de uma determinada faixa etária pode ser um valioso instrumento de orientação para técnicos e treinadores na adequação dos treinamentos em função da real condição funcional de seus jovens atletas(AU)

Objective. The changes in young people at ages preceding the peak height velocity (PHV) can influence their performance in sports. Taken this issue into account, this study aimed to analyze the effect of maturity level on body composition and motor performance in young soccer players. Methods. The 45 subjects were divided into three groups according to somatic maturation and were submitted to anthropometric assessment and to a battery of tests that assessed flexibility (Wells' bench), aerobic power (Yoyo endurance test level 1) and anaerobic power (horizontal and vertical jumps). Results. The results of ANOVA indicate that performance in vertical jump with counter movement (F = 5.10, p = 0.01), standing long jump (F = 7.19, p = 0.002) and flexibility (F = 6.83, p = 0.02) are influenced by the level of maturation status. On the other hand, the performance in the aerobic power test was not affected by maturity status. The somatotype and the reciprocal of ponderal index variables remained steady regardless the degree of maturity; differences were only observed in body mass index values (BMI). Conclusion. Thus, we can conclude that the determination of maturational stages by means of years from PHV can be a valuable tool in order to aid coaches and trainers planning and monitoring training related to the actual functional condition of young athletes(AU)

A new approach to determining pharmacologic adulteration of herbal weight loss products.

Pharmaceutical adulterants are commonly found in herbal weight loss products, and analytical techniques for detecting these adulterants have become increasingly important to the public health community. Previously we reported a novel analytical method for the determination of adulterants in herbal formulations by capillary electrophoresis with contactless conductivity detection. The current study refines this previously described technique by testing if anxiolytics, diuretics, and laxatives interfered with the detection of anorectics and antidepressants. A survey of herbal weight loss products sold by compounding pharmacies in Brazil were analysed to determine the presence of pharmaceutical adulterants. A total of 106 herbal products, collected from 73 pharmacies in nine Brazilian states, were analysed for amfepramone, sibutramine, fenproporex, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline and bupropion using the new analytical method. The method permitted the rapid and selective screening for the seven adulterants. Of the 106 weight loss products sampled, four (3.8%) were found to be adulterated by fenproporex or sibutramine. The adulterated samples were compounded by four different pharmacies located in three different Brazilian states. The novel capillary electrophoresis method we developed may be a useful tool for public health organisations tasked with analysing herbal weight loss products.

Use of a common food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess dietary patterns and their relation to allergy and asthma in Europe: pilot study of the GA2LEN FFQ.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Comparable international data on food and nutrient intake is often hindered by the lack of a common instrument to assess food intake. The objective of this study was within the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network of Excellence (GA(2)LEN), we developed and piloted a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess its validity in Europe. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Five countries participating in GA(2)LEN took part in the pilot study. A total of 200 adults aged 31-75 years were invited to complete a FFQ in two occasions and to give a blood sample. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess repeatability of the FFQ. Plasma phospholipid fatty acids (FAs) were analysed by gas chromatography. Pearson correlation was used to analyse the correlation between estimated dietary FA intake and plasma phospholipid FA levels. RESULTS: A total of 177 participants (89%) had complete data on FFQ(1) and plasma phospholipid FAs. In all, 152 participants (76%) completed both FFQs. ICCs between macronutrients ranged from 0.70 (saturated FAs) to 0.78 (proteins) and between 0.70 (retinol) and 0.81 (vitamin D) for micronutrients. Dietary n-3 FAs showed a good correlation with total plasma phospholipid n-3 FAs and with docosahexaenoic acid in the whole sample (0.40) and in individual countries. Poor correlations were observed for other FAs. CONCLUSIONS: The GA(2)LEN FFQ is an appropriate tool to estimate dietary intake for a range of nutrients across Europe regardless of cultural and linguistic differences. The FFQ seems to be useful to estimate the intake of n-3 FAs but not other FAs.

The Illegal Use of Synthetic Pharmaceuticals in Herbal Formulations: An Overview of Adulteration Practices and Analytical Investigations.

Alternative medicine has historically been very popular in developing countries. In this context, self-medication with herbal formulations has increased in both developing and developed nations in recent years. The adulteration of such formulations violates the laws of many countries because it can lead to unpredictable effects in the human body, either due to the isolated effects of an added pharmaceutical or to its interaction with other substances present in the formulation. The development of methodologies for the screening and quantification of adulterated samples should be of great interest for analytical, clinical, and forensic scientists. This review aims to provide a comprehensive approach to this topic and to discuss adulteration cases related to herbal formulations reported in the literature over the last few decades. Furthermore, a classification of the most commonly found synthetic adulterants that are linked to the active principle of herbal formulations was proposed according to their pharmacological action. The available analytical methodologies for the identification of adulteration practices are presented in a systematic and comprehensive way.

Prevalence of aeroallergen sensitization and increased exhaled nitric oxide values in schoolchildren of different socioeconomic status.

BACKGROUND: Screening for allergic diseases allows an early diagnosis to be made, thus reducing socioeconomic burden and enhancing quality of life. We determined the prevalence of elevated exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) levels and sensitization to common airborne allergens in schoolchildren from different socioeconomic backgrounds. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population comprised 271 children (136 boys) aged between 8 and 12 years in whom we applied skin prick tests and determined eNO levels. RESULTS: Thirty-five percent of the children were identified as atopic. There was a significantly higher prevalence of atopy in boys (43% vs. 27%). Among the children with a high socioeconomic status, 37% were atopic, compared with 30% of those with a low socioeconomic status. We observed a significantly lower prevalence of pollen sensitization in children of lower socioeconomic status (10% vs. 20%). In the atopic group, 51% had elevated eNO levels, while in the nonatopic group this value was 4%. The mean (SD) eNO level was 33.4 (26.6) ppb in the atopic group and 11.9 (6.4) ppb in the nonatopic group. No differences were found for eNO values in terms of gender or socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS: Our results emphasize the high prevalence of atopy in our population and suggest that determination of eNO levels could help to provide an early diagnosis. We also observed the following: (a) a significant difference in mean eNO values between atopic and nonatopic children; (b) a significantly lower prevalence of pollen sensitization in children of lower socioeconomic status; and (c) a higher prevalence of atopy in boys.

Estudo in vitro da atividade do extrato etanólico de sementes de bacupari (Rheedia gardneriana Planch. & Triana) e das frações no crescimento de Streptococcus mutans / In vitro study of the activity of ethanol extract from bacupari (Rheedia gardneriana Planch. & Triana) seeds and its fractions on Streptococcus mutans growth

Streptococcus mutans, principal microrganismo da cavidade oral, desempenha papel preponderante na formação de placas dentárias, sendo considerado o agente etiológico primário da cárie. Rheedia gardneriana, conhecida popularmente como bacupari, é uma planta utilizada com fins medicinais para o tratamento de diversas patologias, e por apresentar atividade antimicrobiana de compostos das folhas contra bactérias Gram-positivas e Gram-negativas. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de extrato de semente de R. gardneriana sobre a cepa S. mutans UA159. Os testes foram conduzidos com o extrato etanólico bruto e as frações obtidas com os solventes diclorometano, etanol-água, metanol e hexano, em ensaios de inibição in vitro. O extrato bruto (100 por cento) apresentou halos de inibição com diâmetro similar ao obtido com solução de digluconato de clorexidina 0,12 por cento, usada como controle. Os ensaios com a fração diclorometano exibiram atividade inibitória 35 por cento menor comparado com o controle, enquanto nenhum efeito antimicrobiano foi observado com a fração etanol-água. Contrariamente, os resultados obtidos com as frações hexânica e metanólica demonstraram claramente a atividade antimicrobiana por inibição do crescimento bacteriano. Na fração metanólica a formação de halos de inibição foi similar ao do controle. Estes dados apresentam atividade antimicrobiana de R. gardneriana contra S. mutans.

Streptococcus mutans, which is the main microorganism of the oral cavity, plays a preponderant role in dental plaque formation and is considered the primary etiologic agent regarding caries. Commonly known as "bacupari", Rheedia gardneriana is a plant used for medicinal purposes in the treatment of several pathologies; besides, its leaves have compounds that present antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of R. gardneriana seed extract on S. mutans strain UA159. The tests were carried out with crude ethanol extract and the fractions obtained with the solvents dichloromethane, ethanol-water, methanol, and hexane in in vitro inhibition assays. The crude extract (100 percent) presented inhibition halos with diameter similar to that obtained by using 0.12 percent chlorhexidine digluconate solution as control. Assays with the fraction dichloromethane showed an inhibitory activity 35 percent lower than that of the control, whereas no antimicrobial effect was observed with the ethanol-water fraction. Conversely, the results obtained with the fractions hexane and methanol clearly demonstrated antimicrobial activity by inhibiting the bacterial growth. In the methanol fraction, the formation of inhibition halos was similar to that in the control. These data present antimicrobial activity of R. gardneriana against S. mutans.

Fish oil ingestion reduces the number of aberrant crypt foci and adenoma in 1, 2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon cancer in rats

We determined the effect of fish oil (FO) ingestion on colonic carcinogenesis in rats. Male Wistar rats received 4 subcutaneous injections (40 mg/kg body weight each) of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) at 3-day intervals and were fed a diet containing 18 percent by weight FO (N = 10) or soybean oil (SO, N = 10) for 36 weeks. At sacrifice, the colon was removed, aberrant crypt foci were counted and the fatty acid profile was determined. Intestinal tumors were removed and classified as adenoma or carcinoma. Liver and feces were collected and analyzed for fatty acid profile. FO reduced the mean (± SEM) number of aberrant crypt foci compared to SO (113.55 ± 6.97 vs 214.60 ± 18.61; P < 0.05) and the incidence of adenoma (FO: 20 percent vs SO: 100 percent), but carcinoma occurred equally in FO and SO rats (2 animals per group). The polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) profile of the colon was affected by diet (P < 0.05): total ù-3 (FO: 8.18 ± 0.97 vs SO: 1.71 ± 0.54 percent) and total ù-6 (FO: 3.83 ± 0.59 vs SO: 10.43 ± 1.28 percent). The same occurred in the liver (P < 0.05): total ù-3 (FO: 34.41 ± 2.6 vs SO: 6.46 ± 0.59 percent) and total ù-6 (FO: 8.73 ± 1.37 vs SO: 42.12 ± 2.33 percent). The PUFA profile of the feces and liver polyamine levels did not differ between groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, our findings indicate that chronic FO ingestion protected against the DMH-induced preneoplastic colon lesions and adenoma development, but not against carcinoma in rats.

Osmolality of preterm formulas supplemented with nonprotein energy supplements.

BACKGROUND: Addition of energy supplements to preterm formulas is an optional strategy to increase the energy intake in infants requiring fluid restriction, in conditions like bronchopulmonary dysplasia. This strategy may lead to an undesirable increase in osmolality of feeds, the maximum recommended safe limit being 400 mOsm/kg. The aim of the study was to measure the changes in osmolality of several commercialized preterm formulas after addition of glucose polymers and medium-chain triglycerides. METHODS: Osmolality was measured by the freezing point depression method. Six powdered formulas with concentrations of 14 g/100 ml and 16 g/100 ml, and five ready-to-feed liquid formulas were analyzed. All formulas, were supplemented with 10% (low supplementation) or 20% (high supplementation) of additional calories, respectively, in the form of glucose polymers and medium chain triglycerides, maintaining a 1:1 glucose:lipid calorie ratio. Inter-analysis and intra-analysis coefficients of variation of the measurements were always < 3.9%. RESULTS: The mean osmolality (mOsm/kg) of the non-supplemented formulas varied between 268.5 and 315.3 mOsm/kg, increasing by 3-5% in low supplemented formulas, and by 6-10% in high supplemented formulas. None of the formulas analyzed exceeded 352.8 mOsm/kg. CONCLUSION: The supplementation of preterm formulas with nonprotein energy supplements with up to 20% additional calories did not exceed the maximum recommended osmolality for neonatal feedings.

Pilot study of the effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on exhaled nitric oxide in patients with stable asthma.

BACKGROUND: The anti-inflammatory effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) have been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. The results of epidemiological studies suggest that fish consumption has a beneficial effect on lung function and prevalence of asthma. However, data from intervention trials have not revealed a beneficial effect of n-3 PUFA supplementation in patients with established disease. OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of short-term n-3 PUFA supplementation in addition to maintenance therapy on exhaled nitric oxide in asthmatic patients. METHODS: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was undertaken in 20 women with asthma. Patients received either a combination of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid plus 10 mg vitamin E or placebo twice daily for 2 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and the secondary outcomes were asthma control (score on theAsthma Control Questionnaire [ACQI) and lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]). RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in FeNO, ACQ score, or FEV1 between patients receiving n-3 PUFA supplementation and those receiving placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term dietary supplementation with n-3 PUFA in women with stable asthma was not associated with statistically significant changes in FeNO, asthma control, or lung function.

Nutritional modulation of exercise-induced immunodepression in athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Heavy exercise induces marked immunodepression that is multifactorial in origin. Nutrition can modulate normal immune function. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of nutritional supplements in exercise-induced immunodepression in athletes. DESIGN: Systematic review. REVIEW METHODS: Randomised and/or controlled trials of athletes undertaking nutritional supplements to minimise the immunodepression after exercise were retrieved. The primary outcome measure was incidence of upper respiratory tract (URT) illness symptoms after exercise, and secondary outcomes included cortisol, cell counts, plasma cytokine concentration, cell proliferative response, oxidative burst, natural killer cell activity and immunoglobulins. When data were available for a pooled estimate of the effect of intervention, meta-analyses were conducted for direct comparisons. RESULTS: Forty-five studies were included (1603 subjects). The studies were heterogeneous in terms of exercise interventions, selection of athletes, settings and outcomes. The overall methodological quality of most of the trials was poor. Twenty studies addressed carbohydrate supplementation, eight glutamine, 13 vitamin C and four others interventions. Three trials assessed the effect of intervention on prevention of URT infections. The pooled rate ratio for URT infections after vitamin C supplementation against placebo was 0.49 (0.34-0.71). Carbohydrate supplementation attenuated the increase in cortisol and neutrophils after exercise; vitamin C attenuated the decrease in lymphocytes after exercise. No other interventions had significant or consistent effect on any of the studied outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Although the prevention of URT infections by vitamin C was supported by two trials, further studies are needed. The available evidence failed to support a role for other nutritional supplements in preventing exercise-induced immune suppression. Larger trials with clinically relevant and uniform end points are necessary to clarify the role of these nutritional interventions.

Increased dietary beta-carotene intake associated with better asthma quality of life

Asthma prevalence and morbidity have steadily increased in last decades in face of our imporved knowledge of the disease. Changing patterns and interactions among asthma risk factors may contribute to these trends, in which diet is a recognized risk factor for asthma occurrence. Although a possible protective role of dietary antioxidants in asthma has been proposed, little is known about possible relationship between dietary intake and asthma severity, if any. Our objective was to investigate whether asthma severity is associated with antioxidants consumption. We found that better asthma quality of life was associated in females'. with increased consumption of beta-carotene, even after adjustment or energy intake and potentiaJ confounders (p=0.023) and in males, with lesser consumption of dietary iron (13.9±2.1 vs. 17.8±2.1 mg. p=0.026: after adjustment for energy intake and confounders, p=0.012). Our study shows promising results that need further investigation relating these two nutrients involved in several antioxidant mechanisms (AU)

La prevalencia y la morbilidad del asma han aumentado de forma continua a lo largo de las últimas décadas, a pesar de los avances en nuestro conocimiento de la enfermedad. Cambios en los perfiles e interacciones entre factores de riesgo del asma podrían contribuir a esta tendencia, y entre ellos la dieta es un factor de riesgo reconocido para el desarrollo de asma. Aunque se ha sugerido un posible papel protctor de los antioxidantes dietarios en el asma, es poco lo que se sabe acerca de la posbile relación, si es que existe una, entre ingesta dietaria y gravedad del asma. Nuestro objetivo fue investigar si la gravedad del asma muestra asociación con el consumo de antioxidantes. Hemos observado que existe una asociación entre mejor calidad de vida en el asma y el consumo aumentado de B-caroteno en mujeres, incluso después del ajuste en función de la ingesta calórica y de posibles factores de confusión (p=0,0023), y entre mejor calidad de vida en el asma y menor consumo dietario de hierro (13,9±2.1 frente 17.8 ± 2.1 mb; p=0.026) en varones, asimismo tras ajuste según ingesta calórica y factores de confusión. Nuestro estudio ofrece resultados prometedores que requieren y justifican investigación adicional acerca de estos dos nutrientes involucrados en diversos mecanismos antioxidantes (AU)

Cerebral midline developmental anomalies: endocrine, neuroradiographic and ophthalmological features.

BACKGROUND: Hypopituitarism may occur in patients with midline cerebral defects (MCD), including septo-optic dysplasia (SOD). HESX1 gene mutations have been associated with SOD. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the endocrine, ophthalmological and neuroradiographic abnormalities in 18 patients with MCD and SOD without mutations at the HESX1 locus. STUDY DESIGN: The diagnosis of hypothalamic and pituitary abnormalities was confirmed by clinical findings and basal hormone values or functional tests. All patients underwent ophthalmological examination and neuroradiologic studies by MRI. RESULTS: The diagnosis of hypothalamic and pituitary abnormalities varied from 3 days to 13 years. Endocrine abnormalities were found in 88% of the patients: GH deficiency (72%), hypothyroidism (66%), hypogonadism (45%), diabetes insipidus (27%), adrenal insufficiency (10%), and precocious puberty (5%). Psychomotor retardation was observed in 55% and seizures in 22%. Visual status varied from normal to blindness. MRI confirmed heterogeneous intracranial malformations. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support the need for systematic and periodic endocrine evaluation of patients with MCD using a multidisciplinary approach.