Cross-Sectional Assessment of Nutritional Status, Dietary Intake, and Physical Activity Levels in Children (6-9 Years) in Valencia (Spain) Using Nutrimetry.

The aims of this research were to evaluate the current nutritional status, dietary intake, and level of physical activity and assess the need for intervention. This was a cross-sectional study with 2724 participating children aged 6-9 years old. Nutritional status was assessed using nutrimetry, dietary intake with a 3-day food-recall questionnaire and physical activity with an ad hoc questionnaire. The nutricode with the highest prevalence was healthy weight/normal stature, with 51.3% of the sample. For the BMI for age Z-score, those in the overweight/obesity category represented 37.5% of the sample, while the thinness category included 7.6%. Intake of calories, proteins, sugar, lipids, SFA, MUFA, and cholesterol were significantly higher than recommended. The thinness groups consumed a significantly higher amount of excess calories while the overweight/obesity groups had the lowest mean excess calorie intake. Children in the thinness category presented the highest rates at both ends of the spectrum for sedentary activities. This study showed the high prevalence of malnutrition in schoolchildren. The results for the risk of thinness and overweight/obesity according to individual nutrient intake should be carefully interpreted. Lifestyle is a fundamental aspect to consider when combating malnutrition, especially at the level of dietary and physical activity habits, to combine various methods of intervention to improve nutritional status.

Machine Learning Approaches for Stroke Risk Prediction: Findings from the Suita Study.

Stroke constitutes a significant public health concern due to its impact on mortality and morbidity. This study investigates the utility of machine learning algorithms in predicting stroke and identifying key risk factors using data from the Suita study, comprising 7389 participants and 53 variables. Initially, unsupervised k-prototype clustering categorized participants into risk clusters, while five supervised models including Logistic Regression (LR), Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and Light Gradient Boosted Machine (LightGBM) were employed to predict stroke outcomes. Stroke incidence disparities among identified risk clusters using the unsupervised k-prototype clustering method are substantial, according to the findings. Supervised learning, particularly RF, was a preferable option because of the higher levels of performance metrics. The Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) method identified age, systolic blood pressure, hypertension, estimated glomerular filtration rate, metabolic syndrome, and blood glucose level as key predictors of stroke, aligning with findings from the unsupervised clustering approach in high-risk groups. Additionally, previously unidentified risk factors such as elbow joint thickness, fructosamine, hemoglobin, and calcium level demonstrate potential for stroke prediction. In conclusion, machine learning facilitated accurate stroke risk predictions and highlighted potential biomarkers, offering a data-driven framework for risk assessment and biomarker discovery.

Single electron reduction of NHC-CO2-borane compounds.

The carbon dioxide radical anion [CO2˙-] is a highly reactive species of fundamental and synthetic interest. However, the direct one-electron reduction of CO2 to generate [CO2˙-] occurs at very negative reduction potentials, which is often a limiting factor for applications. Here, we show that NHC-CO2-BR3 species - generated from the Frustrated Lewis Pair (FLP)-type activation of CO2 by N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and boranes (BR3) - undergo single electron reduction at a less negative potential than free CO2. A net gain of more than one volt was notably measured with a CAAC-CO2-B(C6F5)3 adduct, which was chemically reduced to afford [CAAC-CO2-B(C6F5)3˙-]. This room temperature stable radical anion was characterized by EPR spectroscopy and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Of particular interest, DFT calculations showed that, thanks to the electron withdrawing properties of the Lewis acid, significant unpaired spin density is localised on the carbon atom of the CO2 moiety. Finally, these species were shown to exhibit analogous reactivity to the carbon dioxide radical anion [CO2˙-] toward DMPO. This work demonstrates the advantage provided by FLP systems in the generation and stabilization of [CO2˙-]-like species.

Validation of a Wearable Medical Device for Automatic Diagnosis of OSA against Standard PSG.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of automatic diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with a new, small, acoustic-based, wearable technology (AcuPebble SA100), by comparing it with standard type 1 polysomnography (PSG) diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This observational, prospective study was carried out in a Spanish hospital sleep apnea center. Consecutive subjects who had been referred to the hospital following primary care suspicion of OSA were recruited and underwent in-laboratory attended PSG, together with the AcuPebble SA100 device simultaneously overnight from January to December 2022. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients were recruited for the trial. The patients had a median Epworth scoring of 10, a mean of 10.4, and a range of 0-24. The mean AHI obtained with PSG plus sleep clinician marking was 23.2, median 14.3 and range 0-108. The study demonstrated a diagnostic accuracy (based on AHI) of 95.24%, sensitivity of 92.86%, specificity of 97.14%, positive predictive value of 96.30%, negative predictive value of 94.44%, positive likelihood ratio of 32.50 and negative likelihood ratio of 0.07. CONCLUSIONS: The AcuPebble SA100 (EU) device has demonstrated an accurate automated diagnosis of OSA in patients undergoing in-clinic sleep testing when compared against the gold-standard reference of in-clinic PSG.

Metabolome analysis reveals that cyclic adenosine diphosphate ribose contributes to the regulation of differentiation in mice adipocyte.

Adipocytes play a key role in energy storage and homeostasis. Although the role of transcription factors in adipocyte differentiation is known, the effect of endogenous metabolites of low molecular weight remains unclear. Here, we analyzed time-dependent changes in the levels of these metabolites throughout adipocyte differentiation, using metabolome analysis, and demonstrated that there is a positive correlation between cyclic adenosine diphosphate ribose (cADPR) and Pparγ mRNA expression used as a marker of differentiation. We also found that the treatment of C3H10T1/2 adipocytes with cADPR increased the mRNA expression of those marker genes and the accumulation of triglycerides. Furthermore, inhibition of ryanodine receptors (RyR), which are activated by cADPR, caused a significant reduction in mRNA expression levels of the marker genes and triglyceride accumulation in adipocytes. Our findings show that cADPR accelerates adipocytic differentiation via RyR pathway.

Cardiovascular Risk Assessment of Elevated Blood Pressure for Screening and Early Detection in Children 6 to 9 Years of Age in the Valencian Community: ANIVA Study.

Elevated blood pressure (EBP), hypertension (HT), and prehypertension (PHT), along with the rising prevalence of overweight/obesity in children, correlate with a heightened risk of cardiovascular complications. This study focuses on assessing the prevalence of overweight/obesity and EBP and identifying potential indicators for effective early screening and detection of EBP in children aged 6 to 9 years old. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 1142 students from different schools across the Valencian Community in Spain. Data collection involved administering a questionnaire alongside direct anthropometric measurements of each student. The collected data underwent comprehensive statistical analysis, including frequencies, percentages, means, and chi-square automatic interaction detector (CHAID) analysis. In the sample, 7.5% of the children had HT and 6.8% had PHT, meaning 14.3% presented with EBP. Additionally, 17.0% of the children were classified as overweight and 3.9% as obese. Body mass index >23.1, body fat percentage >20.79%, and Kidmed scores <8 were identified as potential markers for early detection of EBP. The study reveals a significant incidence of EBP and overweight/obesity. Implementing screening protocols for early detection of EBP is imperative to forestall future cardiovascular events. Moreover, lifestyle modifications emerge as the most crucial approach for managing these risk factors.

Predicting Cardiovascular Disease Mortality: Leveraging Machine Learning for Comprehensive Assessment of Health and Nutrition Variables.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the primary causes of death around the world. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with CVD mortality using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We created three models focusing on dietary data, non-diet-related health data, and a combination of both. Machine learning (ML) models, particularly the random forest algorithm, demonstrated robust consistency across health, nutrition, and mixed categories in predicting death from CVD. Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) values showed age, systolic blood pressure, and several other health factors as crucial variables, while fiber, calcium, and vitamin E, among others, were significant nutritional variables. Our research emphasizes the importance of comprehensive health evaluation and dietary intake in predicting CVD mortality. The inclusion of nutrition variables improved the performance of our models, underscoring the utility of dietary intake in ML-based data analysis. Further investigation using large datasets with recurring dietary recalls is necessary to enhance the effectiveness and interpretability of such models.

Pediculosis humanus capitis in 6-7 years old schoolchildren in Valencia, Spain.

OBJECTIVES: Pediculosis humanus capitis is a worldwide public health concern that affects mostly school-aged children. The aim of this study is to determine the rate of pediculosis and to determine possible risk factors in a group of primary school children in Valencia, Spain; 227 children, 6-7 years old, were selected from 7 schools. METHODS: A self-reported questionnaire completed by the parents/guardians about the presence of pediculosis in their children and their knowledge about pediculosis. The results recorded in the questionnaire were analysed by SPSS® software. RESULTS: 30.4% of the children had pediculosis. The results showed significant variation (p < 0.05) in prevalence depending on the following factors: sex, hair length, level of parental education, family size, presence of affected family member in the home, and frequency of hair washing. Less than half of parents/guardians showed an appropriate level of knowledge on pediculosis. Pediculosis remains a health problem in Valencian schoolchildren. The family size and existence of another member with pediculosis were shown to be the main potentiating factors. CONCLUSIONS: Parents are not sufficiently informed about pediculosis and adopt inappropriate practices. There is a need to promote studies with the objective of determining risk factors for pediculosis as well as the need for actions to increase the knowledge of parents and healthcare professionals on this parasitosis to prevent outbreaks in the community, assure correct treatment and maintain effective epidemiological surveillance.

Athletic Burnout and Its Association with Diet in Children and Adolescents.

Children today are constantly exposed to several risk factors and high levels of stress that can impact their mental, emotional, and physical health, which can trigger burnout. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and frequency of burnout in young amateur athletes and to study the role of the Mediterranean diet on burnout risk. An observational, cross-sectional, and descriptive study of 183 basketball players between 8 and 15 years old was carried out. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed using the KIDMED questionnaire and the risk of burnout was assessed with the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire. Medians, minimums and maximum values for quantitative variables and absolute frequencies and percentages for qualitative variables were obtained. The results show a higher percentage of burnout among girls. The children who meet the established threshold for burnout spend more time watching television. Participants with better adherence to the Mediterranean diet have lower burnout values in both genders and those with a higher risk of burnout have a worse adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Therefore, it is important to implement a balanced diet appropriate to the individual needs of the athlete.

Relationship between parental exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and primarily hematopoietic neoplasms (lymphoma, leukemia) and tumors in the central nervous system in children: a systematic review.

Low-frequency electromagnetic fields have grown exponentially in recent years due to technological development and modernization. The World Health Organization (WHO)/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), and recent studies have investigated the association between exposure to electromagnetic fields in parents and possible health effects in children, especially the development of tumours of the central nervous system (CNS). The objective of this systematic review was to collate all evidence on the relationship between parental occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields and the development of CNS cancer in children and to evaluate this association. This review was prepared according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched from January 1990 to April 2021. The search was conducted using the following search string: "occupational" AND "child" AND "electromagnetic" AND "cancer". Seventeen articles met our inclusion criteria: 13 case-control studies, two cohort studies, and 2 meta-analyses. Most of the studies showed several methodological weaknesses that limited their results. Due to a lack of consistency regarding the outcome as well as the heterogeneity in the reviewed studies, the body of evidence for the effects of parental exposure to electromagnetic fields is not clear. Methodological heterogeneity in the way that studies were conducted could be responsible for the lack of consistency in the findings. Overall, the body of evidence allows no conclusion on the relationship between parental exposure to electromagnetic fields and the occurrence of CNS tumours in children.

Mediterranean Dietary Pattern and Cardiovascular Risk in Pregnant Women.

Nutrition during pregnancy is one of the most important factors that determine the health of a mother and the proper development of her fetus. The main objective of this study was to analyze the association between adherence to a Mediterranean dietary (MedDiet) pattern and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in pregnant women. Accordingly, we carried out an observational, population-based study using data from pregnant women present in a hospital during the entire course of their pregnancy. Adherence to the MedDiet was assessed using the MedDiet score questionnaire. Our study identified that 87.25% (95%CI: 83.48-90.27) of the women had a cardiovascular risk in relation to their dietary intake. Women with diet-related CV risk were more likely to smoke (p = 0.004), weighed more at the beginning of pregnancy, engaged in little physical activity, and had lower adherence to the MedDiet pattern than women without a diet-related CV risk. Dietary analysis showed low consumption of cereals, vegetables, and fish, which failed to satisfy the recommended portions in Spain. Adequate adherence to the MedDiet was found for 54.2% of women who were considered to be without CV risk and 45.8% of women with CV risk. Our data suggest that the MedDiet could be improved in relation to the consumption of cereals, vegetables, and fish during pregnancy in order to reduce CV risk.

Vitamin D-Related Risk Factors for Maternal Morbidity and Mortality during Pregnancy: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels <20 ng/mL in serum) is a common health condition among pregnant women, especially in high-risk groups. Evidence has connected vitamin D levels with many health-related problems during pregnancy, including gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Because of vitamin D's effect on both mother and fetus, we systematically review the association between 25(OH)D level and its health effects. From a total of 143 studies, 43 came from PubMed, 4 from Cochrane, and 96 from EMBASE. After screening, we identified 38 studies as candidates for inclusion. Ultimately, we limited this review to 23 articles originating from 12 countries, written in English or Spanish, and conducted between 2010 and 2022. We conducted this review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and evaluated the quality and strength of the evidence by using the Navigation Guide Systematic Review Methodology (SING). These systematic reviews summarize findings that support vitamin D's role in reducing risks of multiple outcomes and the possible contribution of adequate vitamin D levels to a healthy pregnancy.

Exercise Capacity and Physical Activity in Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis after a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Home-Based Programme: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic respiratory disease have low exercise capacity and limited physical activity (PA), which is associated with worsening dyspnoea, exacerbations, and quality of life. The literature regarding patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (non-CF BQ) is scarce, especially regarding the use of cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) to assess the effects of home-based pulmonary rehabilitation programmes (HPRP). The aim was to evaluate the effect of an HPRP on the exercise capacity of non-CF BQ patients using CPET and PA using an accelerometer. METHODS: Our study describes a non-pharmacological clinical trial in non-CF BQ patients at the Virgen Macarena University Hospital (Seville, Spain). The patients were randomised into two groups: a control group (CG), which received general advice on PA and educational measures, and the intervention group (IG), which received a specific 8-week HPRP with two hospital sessions. The variables included were those collected in the CPET, the accelerometer, and others such as a 6 min walking test (6MWT) and dyspnoea. The data were collected at baseline and at an 8-week follow-up. RESULTS: After the intervention, there was a significant increase in peak VO2 in the IG, which was not evidenced in the GC (IG 66.8 ± 15.5 mL/min p = 0.001 vs. CG 62.2 ± 14.14 mL/min, p = 0.30). As well, dyspnoea according to the mMRC (modified Medical Research Council), improved significantly in IG (2.19 ± 0.57 to 1.72 ± 0.05, p = 0.047) vs. CG (2.07 ± 0.7 to 2.13 ± 0.64, p = 0.36). In addition, differences between the groups in walked distance (IG 451.19 ± 67.99 m, p = 0.001 vs. CG 433.13 ± 75.88 m, p = 0.981) and in physical activity (IG 6591 ± 3482 steps, p = 0.007 vs. CG 4824 ± 3113 steps, p = 0.943) were found. CONCLUSION: Participation in a specific HPRP improves exercise capacity, dyspnoea, walked distance, and PA in non-CF BQ patients.

Vitamin D-Related Risk Factors for Maternal Morbidity during Pregnancy: A Systematic Review.

Vitamin D has well-defined classical functions related to metabolism and bone health but also has non-classical effects that may influence pregnancy. Maternal morbidity remains a significant health care concern worldwide, despite efforts to improve maternal health. Nutritional deficiencies of vitamin D during pregnancy are related to adverse pregnancy outcomes, but the evidence base is difficult to navigate. The primary purpose of this review is to map the evidence on the effects of deficiencies of vitamin D on pregnancy outcome and the dosage used in such studies. A systematic search was performed for studies on vitamin D status during pregnancy and maternal outcomes. A total of 50 studies came from PubMed, 15 studies came from Cochrane, and 150 studies came from Embase, for a total of 215 articles. After screening, 34 were identified as candidate studies for inclusion. Finally, 28 articles met the inclusion criteria, which originated from 15 countries. The studies included 14 original research studies and 13 review studies conducted between 2012 and 2021. This review was finally limited to the 14 original studies. This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, and the quality and strength of the evidence was evaluated using the Navigation Guide Systematic Review Methodology (SING). We found evidence that supports the idea that supplementary vitamin D for pregnant women is important for reducing the risk of gestational diabetes, hypertension, preeclampsia, early labor, and other complications. The data retrieved from this review are consistent with the hypothesis that adequate vitamin D levels might contribute to a healthy pregnancy.

Risk of Gestational Diabetes Due to Maternal and Partner Smoking.

Pregnant women are among the most vulnerable to environmental exposure to tobacco smoke (EET); which has been linked to problems in the mothers' health; one of the most frequent is gestational diabetes (GD). For this reason, there are specific interventions and prevention strategies designed to reduce this exposure risk. However, currently, they are mostly aimed only at aiding the pregnant women with smoking cessation during pregnancy and do not assess or address the risk from passive exposure due to partner smoking. The aim of this work is to study the exposure to EET of pregnant women considering active and passive smoking and to evaluate its effect on the development of GD. This is an observational case-control study within a retrospective cohort of pregnant women. Information on smoking habits was obtained from both personal interviews and recorded medical history. In total, 16.2% of mothers and 28.3% of partners declared having been active smokers during pregnancy; 36.5% of the women presented EET during pregnancy when both active and passive smoking were considered. After adjustments, the association with the EET and GD of the mother was (aOR 1.10 95% CI: 0.64-1.92); for the EET of the partner, it was (aOR 1.66 95% CI: 1.01-2.77); for both partners, it was (aOR 1.82 95% CI: 1.15-2.89), adjusted by the mother's age and body mass index. There is a lack of education regarding the effects of passive exposure to tobacco smoke. It is essential that pregnant women and their partners are educated on the risks of active and passive smoking; this could improve the effectiveness of other GD prevention strategies.

A Review of the Relationship Between the Appetite-Regulating Hormone Leptin Present in Human Milk and Infant Growth.

Objective: The relationship between leptin in human milk (HM) and infant growth is quite controversial. The aim of the present study was to review the epidemiological literature currently available on the relation between the appetite-regulating hormone leptin in HM with growth and infant weight gain. Also, to know if it influences on the center of satiety of the infant, and if this hormone has an effect in the self-regulation of food intake. Methods: A review of review and original research articles published from January 1, 2015 up to December 31, 2019 measuring leptin in HM and infant weight gain was performed in the PubMed and Embase databases. The literature showed a total of 237 articles, where the title and abstract were evaluated to eliminate duplicate citations and later exclusion criteria were established to discard articles. Eighteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Results: Six articles showed a relationship between leptin present in HM and infant weight. Five articles reported on leptin in HM and the effect on satiety and self-regulation of infant intake. Studies of leptin in infant serum blood were quite controversial. There is an inverse relationship between the leptin in HM and infant weight gain. Also, breastfed infants better self-regulate their intake and have a better relationship with food. The duration of breastfeeding directly influences on the growth of the infant due to the hormones present in the milk. However, these mechanisms are unclear, and the results are controversial. Conclusion: The evidence from the studies allowed us to establish that there is an association between leptin in HM and infant weight gain. However, there is still a lack of longitudinal studies, with a larger number of participants and well-established inclusion criteria about the relationship between leptin in HM exposure and the development of infant weight gain.

Síndrome de Gardner: informe de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Gardner syndrome: case report and literature review

El síndrome de Gardner es una enfermedad genética de herencia autosómica dominante, presenta múltiples manifestaciones craneofaciales caracterizadas por hipercrecimientos óseos conocidos como osteomas, riesgo de desarrollo de pólipos gastrointestinales con alto potencial de malignidad y de tumores o quistes en piel, así como alteraciones dentales, entre las que destacan la presencia de dientes supernumerarios, retenciones dentarias, permanencia de dientes deciduos y odontomas, estas últimas de gran importancia para el odontólogo. Se trata de una enfermedad que afecta a mujeres y hombres de forma indistinta, no obstante, su prevalencia es mayor en el sexo femenino. El objetivo del presente artículo es explicar las manifestaciones clínicas y radiográficas dentales y craneofaciales del síndrome de Gardner mediante la presentación de un caso clínico y revisión de la literatura (AU)

Gardner syndrome is a genetic disease of autosomal dominant inheritance, it presents multiple craniofacial manifestations characterized by bone overgrowths known as osteomas, risk of development of gastrointestinal polyps with high potencial of malignancy, and skin tumors or cysts, as well as dental alterations, among the characteristics of the presence of supernumerary teeth, dental retention, permanence of deciduous teeth and odontomas, the latter of great importance for the dentist. It is a disease that affects women and men indistinctly, however, its prevalence is higher in the female sex. The aim of this article is to explain the dental and craniofacial clinical and radiographic manifestations of Gardner syndrome by presenting a clinical case and a review of the literature (AU)

Development of a Method for Quantitation of Glyceraldehyde in Various Body Compartments of Rodents and Humans.

There is limited information available about the physiological content of glyceraldehyde, a precursor of toxic advanced glycation end products. The conventional derivatization method for aldoses using 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone did not allow reproducible quantification of glyceraldehyde due to the instability of glyceraldehyde compared to other aldoses. We optimized the derivatization condition to achieve high and reproducible recovery of derivatives for liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry quantification. Based on the stability of glyceraldehyde during sample preparation and high recovery of spiked standard, the present method provides reproducible quantification of glyceraldehyde in the body. The glyceraldehyde contents in fasting conditions in the rodent liver (mice: 50.0 ± 3.9 nmol/g; rats: 35.5 ± 4.9 nmol/g) were higher than those in plasma (9.4 ± 1.7 and 7.2 ± 1.2 nmol/mL). The liver glyceraldehyde levels significantly increased after food consumption (p < 0.05) but remained constant in the plasma. High fat diet feeding significantly increased plasma glyceraldehyde levels in mice (p < 0.005). In healthy human volunteers, the plasma glyceraldehyde levels remained unchanged after the consumption of steamed rice. In patients with type 2 diabetes, the plasma glyceraldehyde level was positively correlated with the plasma glucose level (r = 0.84; p < 0.0001).

Intermittent Fasting and the Possible Benefits in Obesity, Diabetes, and Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Intermittent fasting has become popular in recent years and is controversially presented as a possible therapeutic adjunct. A bibliographic review of the literature on intermittent fasting and obesity, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis was carried out. The scientific quality of the methodology and the results obtained were evaluated in pairs. Intermittent fasting has beneficial effects on the lipid profile, and it is associated with weight loss and a modification of the distribution of abdominal fat in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes as well as an improvement in the control of glycemic levels. In patients with multiple sclerosis, the data available are too scarce to draw any firm conclusions, but it does appear that intermittent fasting may be a safe and feasible intervention. However, it is necessary to continue investigating its long-term effects since so far, the studies carried out are small and of short duration.