Association between type 2 diabetes and depressive symptoms after a 1-year follow-up in an older adult Mediterranean population.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the cross-sectional association between baseline depressive symptoms and the presence of type 2 diabetes (T2D), and its association with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and other metabolic variables, and the prospective association of depressive symptoms and HbA1c after 1 year of follow-up. METHODS: n = 6224 Mediterranean older adults with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome (48% females, mean age 64.9 ± 4.9 years) were evaluated in the framework of the PREDIMED-Plus study cohort. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II and HbA1c was used to measure metabolic control. RESULTS: The presence of T2D increased the likelihood of higher levels of depressive symptoms (χ2 = 15.84, p = 0.001). Polynomial contrast revealed a positive linear relationship (χ2 = 13.49, p = 0.001), the higher the depressive symptoms levels, the higher the prevalence of T2D. Longitudinal analyses showed that the higher baseline depressive symptoms levels, the higher the likelihood of being within the HbA1c ≥ 7% at 1-year level (Wald-χ2 = 24.06, df = 3, p < .001, for the full adjusted model). Additionally, depressive levels at baseline and duration of T2D predicted higher HbA1c and body mass index, and lower physical activity and adherence to Mediterranean Diet at 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports an association between T2D and the severity of depressive symptoms, suggesting a worse metabolic control from mild severity levels in the short-medium term, influenced by lifestyle habits related to diabetes care. Screening for depressive symptoms and a multidisciplinary integrative therapeutic approach should be ensured in patients with T2D.

Impact of mediterranean diet promotion on environmental sustainability: a longitudinal analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This article aims to estimate the differences in environmental impact (greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions, land use, energy used, acidification and potential eutrophication) after one year of promoting a Mediterranean diet (MD). METHODS: Baseline and 1-year follow-up data from 5800 participants in the PREDIMED-Plus study were used. Each participant's food intake was estimated using validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires, and the adherence to MD using the Dietary Score. The influence of diet on environmental impact was assessed through the EAT-Lancet Commission tables. The influence of diet on environmental impact was assessed through the EAT-Lancet Commission tables. The association between MD adherence and its environmental impact was calculated using adjusted multivariate linear regression models. RESULTS: After one year of intervention, the kcal/day consumed was significantly reduced (-125,1 kcal/day), adherence to a MD pattern was improved (+0,9) and the environmental impact due to the diet was significantly reduced (GHG: -361 g/CO2-eq; Acidification:-11,5 g SO2-eq; Eutrophication:-4,7 g PO4-eq; Energy use:-842,7 kJ; and Land use:-2,2 m2). Higher adherence to MD (high vs. low) was significantly associated with lower environmental impact both at baseline and one year follow-up. Meat products had the greatest environmental impact in all the factors analysed, both at baseline and at one-year follow-up, in spite of the reduction observed in their consumption. CONCLUSIONS: A program promoting a MD, after one year of intervention, significantly reduced the environmental impact in all the factors analysed. Meat products had the greatest environmental impact in all the dimensions analysed.

Isoperistaltic versus antiperistaltic side-to-side anastomosis after right laparoscopic hemicolectomy for cancer (ISOVANTI) trial: study protocol for a randomised clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: It is believed that loosing ileocecal valve is well tolerated in patients who do not have short bowel syndrome or Crohn disease. From the hypothesis of colonic peristalsis and transit is regulated by that ileocecal valvular mechanism, we try to find out if the creation of a new pseudo-valvular mechanism as antiperistaltic anastomosis could be considered after right hemicolectomy can cause any short- or long-term changes in gastrointestinal habits. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study at primary endpoint is to compare early (occurring within 30 days of surgery) and late (occurring during the follow-up) postoperative complications between both groups The purpose of the study at secondary endpoint is to compare intraoperative and postoperative events between experimental and control groups in terms of operating time, first oral tolerance day, first flatus and faeces, length of hospital stay and orocecal transit; comparing rates of gastrointestinal life quality and comparing mortality rates between both groups. METHODS: The ISOVANTI trial is a randomized controlled single-centre trial comparing isoperistaltic versus antiperistaltic side-to-side anastomosis after right laparoscopic hemicolectomy. It is designed as a parallel group superiority trial. CONCLUSIONS: It is unknown if a pseudo-valvular mechanism as antiperistaltic anastomosis can be considered has short- or long-term consequences in gastrointestinal habit. Considering the impact that ileocolic anastomosis configuration could have on the restitution of bowel transit after right hemicolectomy, we think it is indicated and necessary a randomized trial comparing iso- and antiperistaltic modalities. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02309931.

Intracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis in patients with laparoscopic right hemicolectomy.

BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of laparoscopic colorectal surgery, there has been a controversy between creating an intracorporeal or extracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis in right hemicolectomy. The purpose is to report our experience in intracorporeal anastomosis following right hemicolectomy in both malignant and benign pathologies. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was conducted at Virgen de la Arrixaca Clinical University Hospital (Murcia) between January 2000 and April 2014. The study includes all surgery patients who received a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with an intracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis. The criteria for exclusion were conversion to open surgery during the procedure due to technical difficulties during dissect. Tumours considered T4 were not excluded, nor were stage IV patients or those with a history of previous abdominal surgery. RESULTS: There were 173 patients (63 females) aged 67 (range 14-91) years, with body mass index of 27 (17-52) kg/m(2) and ASA 1:2:3:4 of 12:78:68:15; 41% had previous abdominal surgery and 70% had a pre-existing comorbidity. Operating time was 142 (60-270) min. Specimen extraction site incision length was 8.1 (6-11.1) cm. Conversion rate was 9.2%, and there were 39 complications (22.54%) and 9 reoperations (5.2%). Readmission rate was 5.2%. Length of stay was 5.7 (1-35) days. CONCLUSION: The intracorporeal procedure is a safe and feasible alternative for creating an ileocolic anastomosis. It involves a similar rate of complications and may prevent some of the drawbacks presented by extracorporeal anastomosis.

Prevalence of elder abuse in the community and care settings: An umbrella review.

OBJECTIVE: Elder abuse, an important human rights issue and public health problem, contributes to increased disability and mortality. In the last decades, several reviews have synthesized primary studies to determine its prevalence. This umbrella review aimed to estimate the worldwide overall prevalence rate of elder abuse in the community and care setting. METHODS: Following prospective registration at PROSPERO (CRD42021281866) we conducted a search of eight electronic databases to identify systematic reviews from inception until 17 January 2023. The corrected covered area was calculated to estimate the potential overlap of primary studies between reviews. The quality of the selected reviews was assessed using a modified AMSTAR-2 instrument. We extracted data on the prevalence of any type of elder (people aged 60 years old or older) abuse in the community and care setting. RESULTS: There were 16 systematic reviews retrieved between 2007 and 2022, out of which ten captured prevalence globally, three in Iran, one in Turkey, one in China and one in Brazil. The 16 reviews included 136 primary studies in total between 1988 and 2020. The overlapping of studies between reviews was found to be moderate (5.5%). The quality of reviews was low (2, 12.5%) or critically low (14, 87.5%). The estimated range of global prevalence of overall elder abuse was wide (1.1-78%), while the estimations of specific abuse prevalence ranged from 0-81.8% for neglect, 1.1-78.9% for psychological abuse, 0.7-78.3% for financial abuse, 0.1-67.7% for physical abuse, and 0-59.2% for sexual abuse. CONCLUSIONS: Although the low quality of the evidence and the heterogeneity of the phenomenon makes it hard to give precise prevalence data, it is without a question that elder abuse is a prevalent problem with a wide dispersion. The focus of attention should shift towards interventions and policymaking to prevent this form of abuse.

Evidence-based medicine needs patient and public involvement to remain relevant: A proposal for a new curriculum.

INTRODUCTION: Public partnerships, a route to sharing expertise, networks and resources anchored in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, has been championed by multiple stakeholders. OBJECTIVE: To propose a new evidence-based medicine (EBM) curriculum for harnessing patient and public expertise to ensure that EBM teaching and learning can become more relevant and impactful. METHODS: A curriculum development group comprising of EBM teachers, patient and public involvement representatives, clinicians, clinical epidemiologists, public health experts and educationalists, with experience of delivering and evaluating face-to-face and online EBM courses across many countries and continents, prepared a new EBM course. RESULTS: A student-centred, problem-based and clinically integrated course for teaching and learning EBM was developed. In the spirit of shared decision-making, practitioners can learn to support patients, articulate their perspectives, recognise the need for their contribution and ensure community involvement when generating and applying evidence. With end users in mind, the application of research findings, delivery of care and EBM effectiveness in the workplace would carry increased priority. CONCLUSIONS: Embracing patients as EBM collaborators can help deliver cognitive diversity and inspire different ways of thinking and working. Adopting the proposed approach in EBM education lays the foundations for a joint practitioner-patient partnership to ask, acquire, appraise and apply EBM in a more holistic context which will strengthen the EBM proposition.

Prognostic value of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer disease.

We performed a retrospective analysis of the patients assessed at our memory unit for whom Alzheimer disease (AD) cerebrospinal fluid biomarker results were available. We selected patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment due to AD (National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association clinical criteria), confirmed neuropsychological deficit, a Global Deterioration Scale score of 3, and an abnormal profile of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. Of the 588 cases reviewed, 110 met the inclusion criteria. During follow-up, 50 cases (45.45%) progressed to dementia due to AD. Baseline levels of total and phosphorylated tau were higher in the group of patients that progressed to dementia than in those remaining with mild cognitive impairment. After adjusting for age, sex, history of hypertension, diabetes, and educational level, a 10% increase in total tau protein values was associated with a 7.60% increase in the risk of progression to dementia (hazard ratio: 2.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-3.84]; P = .004). Among patients with mild cognitive impairment due to AD and abnormal cerebrospinal fluid biomarker profiles, progressively higher concentrations of total or phosphorylated tau were associated with increased risk of progression to dementia.

Vaccination coverage among migrants: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Migrants, a population vulnerable to communicable diseases, face multiple barriers in access to immunization programs. Individual studies suggest that they suffer immunization inequity compared to non-migrants, but the gap in vaccination has not been quantified. This systematic review assessed quantitatively the level of vaccination coverage among migrants, in comparison with non-migrants, collating the published literature. METHODS: Review protocol was prospectively registered (PROSPERO CRD42021228061). A literature search without language restrictions was conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, from database inception to February 2021. This review included observational studies that provided the vaccination rates among migrant and non-migrant groups. Study quality was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Data were synthesized pooling data from individual studies to generate summary odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) using random effects model, assessing heterogeneity with I2 statistic and publication bias with funnel asymmetry analysis. FINDINGS: There were 44 relevant studies (7,937,996 participants). Overall risk of bias was low in 13 (30%), moderate in 22 (50%) and high in 9 (20%) studies. Point estimates of individual ORs showed lower vaccination coverage among migrants in 36 of 39 meta-analyzable studies. Overall, the odds of vaccination coverage among migrants were lower compared to non-migrants (7,375,184 participants; summary OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.37-0.66; I2 99.9%). There was no funnel asymmetry. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are half as often vaccinated compared to non-migrants. Public health prevention programs need to prioritize vaccination equity, not just to protect migrants but also to protect the host communities.

Evaluation of the Xpert HCV VL Fingerstick point-of-care assay and dried blood spot HCV-RNA testing as simplified diagnostic strategies among people who inject drugs in Catalonia, Spain.

BACKGROUND: Catalonia requires decentralized and simplified strategies for the diagnosis of viremic HCV infection among people who inject drugs (PWID). We aimed to perform a direct comparison of the diagnostic performance between two, single-step strategies for the screening and diagnosis of viremic HCV infection in PWID attending a drug consumption room (DCR) in Barcelona: i) on-site HCV-RNA testing using the point-of-care test (PoCT) Xpert HCV VL Fingerstick; and ii) on-site dried blood spots (DBS) collection for HCV-RNA testing at the laboratory (in-house assay). Additionally, we aimed to assess participants' preferences in receiving HCV-RNA testing results and feasibility of same-day delivery of PoCT results. METHODS: The real-world, clinical performance of these two strategies was established in comparison with the reference method (HCV viral load testing with the Xpert HCV Viral Load assay at the laboratory from venous plasma collected at the DCR). HCV genotypes/subtypes and HIV status were also determined by sequencing and serology, respectively. A questionnaire including preferences regarding the delivery of test results was administered. RESULTS: The prevalence of HCV-RNA was 63.0% (of which 25.8% were co-infected with HIV). The RNA-PoCT showed a sensitivity of 98.4% for detectable viral loads (>4 IU/mL) and of 100% for quantifiable viral loads (≥10, ≥1000 and ≥3000 IU/mL). For the DBS-based assay, a sensitivity of 93.7% was obtained for detectable viral loads, 96.7% for the quantifiable ≥10 IU/mL threshold, and 98.3% for both the quantifiable ≥1000 and ≥3000 IU/mL thresholds. No significant differences were detected between the sensitivity values of these two strategies, and the specificity was 100% in both cases. Half of the participants preferred to receive the HCV-RNA result on the same day, and 80% of participants received their RNA-PoCT results on the same day. CONCLUSIONS: Both the HCV-RNA PoCT and the DBS-based assay are highly reliable tools for the simplified diagnosis of viremic HCV infection among current PWID. These strategies allow for on-site sample collection and delivery of test results, facilitating decentralized care in harm reduction services.

Prognostic value of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer disease. / Valor pronóstico de los biomarcadores licuorales en el deterioro cognitivo leve debido a enfermedad de Alzheimer.

We performed a retrospective analysis of the patients assessed at our memory unit for whom Alzheimer disease (AD) cerebrospinal fluid biomarker results were available. We selected patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment due to AD (National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association clinical criteria), confirmed neuropsychological deficit, a Global Deterioration Scale score of 3, and an abnormal profile of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. Of the 588 cases reviewed, 110 met the inclusion criteria. During follow-up, 50 cases (45.45%) progressed to dementia due to AD. Baseline levels of total and phosphorylated tau were higher in the group of patients that progressed to dementia than in those remaining with mild cognitive impairment. After adjusting for age, sex, history of hypertension, diabetes, and educational level, a 10% increase in total tau protein values was associated with a 7.60% increase in the risk of progression to dementia (hazard ratio: 2.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-3.84]; P = .004). Among patients with mild cognitive impairment due to AD and abnormal cerebrospinal fluid biomarker profiles, progressively higher concentrations of total or phosphorylated tau were associated with increased risk of progression to dementia.

Health-related quality of life in individuals with metabolic syndrome: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of various cardiovascular risk factors with a major impact on morbidity and premature mortality. However, the impact of MetS on self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is unknown. This study evaluated the HRQoL in a Spanish adult population aged 55 years and older with MetS. METHOD: A cross-sectional analysis was performed with baseline data from the PREDIMED-Plus multicentre randomized trial. The participants were 6430 men and women aged 55-75 years with overweight/obesity (body mass index ≥27 and ≤40kg/m2) and MetS. The SF-36 questionnaire was used as a tool to measure HRQoL. Scores were calculated on each scale of the SF-36 by gender and age. RESULTS: Participants showed higher scores in the social function (mean 85.9, 95% CI; 85.4-86.4) and emotional role scales (mean 86.8, 95% CI; 86.0-87.5). By contrast, the worst scores were obtained in the aggregated physical dimensions. In addition, men obtained higher scores than women on all scales. Among men, the worst score was obtained in general health (mean 65.6, 95% CI; 65.0-66.2), and among women, in body pain (mean 54.3, 95%CI; 53.4-55.2). A significant decrease was found in the aggregated physical dimensions score among participants 70-75 years old, but an increased one in the aggregated mental dimensions, compared to younger participants. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reflect that the MetS may negatively affect HRQoL in the aggregated physical dimensions, body pain in women, and general health in men. However, this adverse association was absent for the psychological dimensions of HRQoL, which were less affected.

LC method for the therapeutic drug monitoring of lamotrigine: evaluation of the assay performance and validation of its application in the routine area.

An accurate and precise high-performance liquid chromatographic method using diode array detection for the determination of lamotrigine in human plasma has been developed and validated for use in pharmacokinetic studies. A validation strategy based on the accuracy profiles was used to select the most appropriate regression model and to determine the limits of quantitation as well as the concentration range. On the other hand, the present paper also shows this validation approach as a suitable tool to guaranty the quality of the results obtained by the use of the analytical validated methodology for plasma lamotrigine determination in a routine setting and to ensure the risk of obtaining the future measurements outside the previously fixed acceptance limits.

Valor pronóstico de los biomarcadores licuorales en el deterioro cognitivo leve debido a enfermedad de Alzheimer / Prognostic value of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer disease

Realizamos un análisis retrospectivo de los pacientes evaluados en nuestra unidad de memoria en los que se realizó determinación de biomarcadores licuorales de enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA). Se seleccionaron aquellos casos con diagnóstico de deterioro cognitivo leve debido a EA según criterios clínicos (criterios NIA-AA), déficit neuropsicológico comprobado, una puntuación igual a 3 en la escala GDS y un perfil alterado de biomarcadores en líquido cefalorraquídeo. De los 588 casos revisados, 110 cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Durante el seguimiento, 50 de estos 110 casos (45,45%) progresaron a demencia por EA. Se observaron diferencias significativas en los niveles basales de tau total y tau fosforilada entre los casos que evolucionaron a demencia y los que permanecieron estables como deterioro cognitivo leve, siendo los niveles más altos en el grupo que progresó a demencia. Después del ajuste por edad, sexo, antecedentes de hipertensión, diabetes y nivel educativo, un aumento del 10% en los valores de proteína tau total se asoció con un aumento del 7,60% en el riesgo de progresión a demencia (HR = 2,22, IC 95% [1,28, 3,84], p = 0,004). En pacientes con deterioro cognitivo leve debido a EA un perfil alterado de biomarcadores licuorales, concentraciones progresivamente mayores de tau-t y tau-p se asocian a un mayor riesgo de conversión a demencia.(AU)

We performed a retrospective analysis of the patients assessed at our memory unit for whom Alzheimer disease (AD) cerebrospinal fluid biomarker results were available. We selected patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment due to AD (National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association clinical criteria), confirmed neuropsychological deficit, a Global Deterioration Scale score of 3, and an abnormal profile of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. Of the 588 cases reviewed, 110 met the inclusion criteria. During follow-up, 50 cases (45.45%) progressed to dementia due to AD. Baseline levels of total and phosphorylated tau were higher in the group of patients that progressed to dementia than in those remaining with mild cognitive impairment. After adjusting for age, sex, history of hypertension, diabetes, and educational level, a 10% increase in total tau protein values was associated with a 7.60% increase in the risk of progression to dementia (hazard ratio: 2.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-3.84]; P = .004). Among patients with mild cognitive impairment due to AD and abnormal cerebrospinal fluid biomarker profiles, progressively higher concentrations of total or phosphorylated tau were associated with increased risk of progression to dementia.(AU)

Vaccination coverage among migrants: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Migrants, a population vulnerable to communicable diseases, face multiple barriers in access to immunization programs. Individual studies suggest that they suffer immunization inequity compared to non-migrants, but the gap in vaccination has not been quantified. This systematic review assessed quantitatively the level of vaccination coverage among migrants, in comparison with non-migrants, collating the published literature. Methods: Review protocol was prospectively registered (PROSPERO CRD42021228061). A literature search without language restrictions was conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, from database inception to February 2021. This review included observational studies that provided the vaccination rates among migrant and non-migrant groups. Study quality was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Data were synthesized pooling data from individual studies to generate summary odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) using random effects model, assessing heterogeneity with I2 statistic and publication bias with funnel asymmetry analysis. Findings: There were 44 relevant studies (7,937,996 participants). Overall risk of bias was low in 13 (30%), moderate in 22 (50%) and high in 9 (20%) studies. Point estimates of individual ORs showed lower vaccination coverage among migrants in 36 of 39 meta-analyzable studies. Overall, the odds of vaccination coverage among migrants were lower compared to non-migrants (7,375,184 participants; summary OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.37–0.66; I2 99.9%). There was no funnel asymmetry. Interpretation: Migrants are half as often vaccinated compared to non-migrants. Public health prevention programs need to prioritize vaccination equity, not just to protect migrants but also to protect the host communities (AU)

Antecedentes: Los migrantes, una población vulnerable a enfermedades transmisibles, se enfrentan a múltiples barreras en el acceso a los programas de inmunización. Estudios individuales sugieren que este colectivo poblacional sufre desigualdad en la cobertura de inmunización, en comparación con población no migrante; sin embargo, hasta el momento no se ha cuantificado la brecha en la cobertura de vacunación. Esta revisión sistemática evaluó cuantitativamente el nivel de cobertura de vacunación entre los migrantes, en comparación con los no migrantes, recopilando la literatura publicada. Métodos: El protocolo de revisión fue registrado prospectivamente (PROSPERO CRD42021228061). Se realizó una búsqueda de literatura sin restricciones de idioma en PubMed, Scopus y Web of Science, desde el inicio de las bases de datos hasta febrero de 2021. Esta revisión incluyó estudios observacionales que proporcionaran coberturas de vacunación entre grupos de migrantes y no migrantes. La calidad de los estudios se evaluó mediante la escala Newcastle-Ottawa. Los datos se sintetizaron y se extrajeron los valores de odds ratio (OR) e intervalo de confianza (IC) del 95%, utilizando un modelo de efectos aleatorios para cada uno de los estudios incluidos. Finalmente, se evaluó la heterogeneidad de los mismos con la prueba estadística de I2 y, el sesgo de publicación con el análisis de asimetría de embudo. Resultados: Hubo 44 estudios relevantes (7.937.996 participantes). El riesgo de sesgo fue bajo en 13 (30%), moderado en 22 (50%) y alto en nueve (20%) estudios. Las estimaciones puntuales de las OR individuales mostraron una menor cobertura de vacunación entre los migrantes en 36 de 39 estudios metaanalizables. En general, las probabilidades de cobertura de vacunación entre los migrantes fueron menores, en comparación con los no migrantes (7.375.184 participantes; OR resumen 0,50; IC 95%: 0,37-0,66; I2 99,9%)s (AU)

Intra-abdominal and subcutaneous abdominal fat as predictors of cardiometabolic risk in a sample of Mexican children.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Few studies in Latin American paediatric populations have differentiated fat deposits in specific areas, such as intra-abdominal fat (IAF) and subcutaneous abdominal fat (SAF). Research in diverse populations is needed, as patterns of fat accumulation vary by ethnicity. The aim of this study was to determine whether IAF and/or SAF are related to cardiometabolic risk factors, independent of total body fat (TBF), in a group of Mexican schoolchildren. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mexico City with 94 children aged between 5 and 11 years. IAF and SAF were assessed by magnetic resonance using two different estimation methods: (a) at the midpoint of lumbar vertebras 4 and 5 (L4-L5) and (b) the sum of the areas of four slices (L1-L2, L2-L3, L3-L4 and L4-L5, which will be referred to as 'total' IAF and SAF). TBF was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The following cardiometabolic risk factors were assessed: total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, blood pressure, insulin resistance, number of risk factors and metabolic syndrome score. RESULTS: After adjusting for sex, age and TBF, total SAF was related to the number of cardiometabolic risk factors and metabolic syndrome score. Although IAF at L4-L5 was also related to the number of cardiometabolic risk factors, there was evidence of collinearity with TBF. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of Mexican schoolchildren, TBF and SAF, but not IAF, were associated with higher cardiometabolic risk.

A Bayesian approach to the effect of selection for growth rate on sensory meat quality of rabbit.

The effect of selection for growth rate on the sensory characteristics of rabbit meat was assessed by comparing a selected and a control population of rabbits. Embryos belonging to generation 7th were frozen, thawed and implanted in does in order to produce the control group. The control group was formed from the offspring of the embryos belonging to the 7th generation. Selected animals belonging to 21st generation (S) were compared with animals of the control group (C), both were contemporary. Forty animals per group were slaughtered at 9-weeks-old. The sensory analysis was carried out on samples of the Longissimus dorsi muscle. The parameters evaluated were: intensity of rabbit flavour (IRF), aniseed odour (AO), aniseed flavour (AF), liver flavour (LF), tenderness (T), juiciness (J), fibrousness (F). A Bayesian analysis was performed. The ratio of the selection and control effects was analysed. There was a difference between the selected and control groups for IRF, AO, AF and LF. Conversely, no differences were found in T, J and F between groups. Selected group had 3% and 23% higher values of IRF and LF, respectively, than the control group. A relevant effect of selection on AO and AF appeared (probability of relevance P(r)=1), with lower values for selected animals. There was a difference between male and female groups for IRF, but this was not relevant. No differences between sexes were found for the rest of the characteristics evaluated. Selection for growth rate did not affect the main sensory characteristics of meat, like T and J but, it had a negative effect on some flavour characteristics.

A specific fluorogenic reaction for tryptophan residues using isatin in organic solvents.

The development of new fluorogenic reactions for specific chemical groups is of increasing interest in cytochemistry. We describe the application of the nonfluorescent compound isatin on methanol-fixed blood smears. When treated with 0.1% isatin in absolute ethanol or acetone for 30 min and observed under violet-blue exciting light, eosinophil leucocyte granules show a bright green fluorescence. This fluorogenic reaction is abolished after blocking of tryptophan residues by performic acid oxidation. Spectrofluorometric studies with amino acids in vitro reveal that isatin forms a unique and specific fluorescent product with tryptophan.

A barium method for the cytochemical detection of sulfated glycosaminoglycans in mast cells and basophilic leukocytes.

Barium ions precipitate inorganic as well as organic sulfate compounds and they can be detected by a reaction with sodium rhodizonate. In this work, we describe the use of a barium method for the selective demonstration of sulfated glycosaminoglycans in cytoplasmic granules of mast cells and basophilic leukocytes. Methanol-fixed smears of mouse peritoneal mast cells and rat bone marrow basophils were treated with 5% BaCl2 for 10 min, followed by staining with either 0.2% sodium rhodizonate in 50% ethanol for 2 h at 60 degrees C, or 0.01% brilliant green in distilled water for 1 min. Light microscopic observation revealed a strong staining reaction of the cytoplasmic granules of these cell types, which was more selective when using sodium rhodizonate. Control smears treated with BaCl2 or sodium rhodizonate alone, and those subjected to methylation/extraction of sulfate groups before staining remained unstained. The selective binding of barium ions to mast cell granules was established with scanning electron microscopy using a backscattered electron detector, and confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis as well as element mapping.