Beyond near-infrared lossy mode resonances with fluoride glass optical fiber.

The objective of this Letter consists of the exploration of the lossy mode resonance (LMR) phenomenon beyond the near-infrared region and specifically in the short wave infrared region (SWIR) and medium wave infrared region (MWIR). The experimental and theoretical results show for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, not only LMRs in these regions, but also the utilization of fluoride glass optical fiber associated with this phenomenon. The fabricated devices consist of a nanometric thin-film of titanium dioxide used as LMR generating material, which probed extraordinary sensitivities to external refractive index (RI) variations. RI sensitivity was studied in the SWIR and MWIR under different conditions, such as the LMR wavelength range or the order of resonance, showing a tremendous potential for the detection of minute concentrations of gaseous or biological compounds in different media.

Clinical manifestations and factors associated with mortality from COVID-19 in older adults: Retrospective population-based study with 9807 older Brazilian COVID-19 patients.

AIM: Older adults are the main risk group for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to describe the clinical manifestations and factors associated with mortality from COVID-19 among older adults in Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out with data from 9807 cases of COVID-19 among older adults in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. We determined the case fatality rate between age groups and clinical factors associated with mortality. RESULTS: A total of 52.5% (n = 5145) were women, and with an average age of 70.21 ± 8.37 years. The fatality rate was 11.9%, with a higher rate in men (14.4%) compared with women (9.8%). The fatality rate increased with age. The most common manifestations were fever (n = 4926; 50.2%), cough (n = 5737; 58.5%), headache (n = 1980; 20.2%) and fatigue (n = 2022; 20.6%). The most prevalent comorbidities were diabetes (n = 1528; 5.6%), cardiovascular disease (n = 1528; 15.6%) and systemic arterial hypertension (n = 597; 6.1%). The factors associated with mortality were male sex (OR 1.54), age ≥75 years (OR 2.40), dyspnea (OR 2.92), diabetes (OR 2.33), hypertension (OR 1.53) and chronic kidney disease (OR 2.02). CONCLUSIONS: The profile and the risk factors evidenced show the need to adopt mechanisms to protect the elderly population.

Deficiencia de holocarboxilasa sintetasa de presentación tardía con actividad piruvato carboxilasa normal / Delayed onset holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency with normal pyruvate carboxylase activity

Se presenta un caso de deficiencia de holocarboxilasa sintetasa con actividad piruvato carboxilasa normal en linfocitos en una niña de 8 años con clínica de intoxicación y sin la clásica afectación dermatológica. La identificación de 3 cambios nucleotídicos en el gen HCLS, habiendo sido descrito como mutación patogénica solo uno de ellos, podría estar relacionada con una variante leve de la enfermedad que explicaría la presentación inusual más allá de la época de lactante. El tratamiento con biotina a 40 mg/día, junto con dieta controlada en proteínas, permite un crecimiento físico y un desarrollo psicomotor normales para su edad

We report a case of holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency with normal pyruvate carboxylase activity in the lymphocytes of an 8 year-old girl with clinical toxicity without the classic dermatological involvement. The identification of three nucleotide changes in the holocarboxylase synthetase (HLCS) gene, only one of them described as a pathogenic mutation could be related to a slight variant of the disease that would explain the unusual presentation beyond the age of infant. Treatment with biotin at 40 mg/day with protein controlled diet allows normal physical growth and psychomotor development for their age

[Delayed onset holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency with normal pyruvate carboxylase activity]. / Deficiencia de holocarboxilasa sintetasa de presentación tardía con actividad piruvato carboxilasa normal.

We report a case of holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency with normal pyruvate carboxylase activity in the lymphocytes of an 8 year-old girl with clinical toxicity without the classic dermatological involvement. The identification of three nucleotide changes in the holocarboxylase synthetase (HLCS) gene, only one of them described as a pathogenic mutation could be related to a slight variant of the disease that would explain the unusual presentation beyond the age of infant. Treatment with biotin at 40 mg/day with protein controlled diet allows normal physical growth and psychomotor development for their age.

Methemoglobinemia induced by vegetable intake in infants in northern Spain.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Acquired methemoglobinemia (MHb) induced in infants by intake of vegetables is a condition uncommonly reported in the literature. The purpose of the present study was to study new vegetables involved and other epidemiological risk factors. METHODS: Seventy-eight cases of diet-induced MHb seen in Pamplona from 1987 to 2010 are reported. Infant characteristics were collected, and a case-control study was conducted using as controls 78 age- and sex-matched infants selected at the same geographic area. Bivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to detect factors involved in MHb occurrence. Nitrate levels were tested in natural vegetables used to prepare purées. RESULTS: A clear relation was found between MHb and use of borage (Borago officinalis) (OR 5.2; 95% CI 1.1-24.6) and maybe chard (Beta vulgaris var cicla) (OR 2.0; 95% CI 0.4-8.7), time from preparation to use (OR 17.4, 95% CI 3.5-86.3 if the purée had been prepared 24-48 hours before and OR 24.9, 95% CI 3.3-187.6 if prepared >48 hours before), and breast-feeding (OR 10.4; 95% CI 1.9-57.2). Tests confirmed that vegetables with the highest nitrate levels were borage (n = 15), with mean nitrate levels of 3968 mg/kg, and chard (n = 17), with mean levels of 2811 mg/kg. CONCLUSIONS: The main associated factors were shown to be time from purée preparation to use (>24 hours), use of certain vegetables (borage and chard), and breast-feeding. Nitrate levels in both vegetables implicated as etiological factors in acquired MHb are high.

El agua: bebida recomendable para una adecuada nutrición en la infancia / Water: recommended drink for an adequate nutrition during childhood

Se revisan las necesidades de agua en la infancia, así como las características de los tipos de agua para el consumo humano. Se indica la concentración ideal de sodio, calcio, nitratos y flúor en las aguas de bebida para los niños según su edad. Se revisa el papel de los zumos y las bebidas de refresco como factores de riesgo de obesidad y sus comorbilidades. Se recuerda que el agua y la leche son las dos bebidas fundamentales de los niños y adolescentes. Finalmente, se revisa la importancia de una buena hidratación en caso de realizar ejercicio físico (AU)

The needs of water in childhood, as well as the characteristics of the types of water for human consumption, are reviewed. The ideal concentration of sodium, calcium, nitrates and fluoride in the water that is drank by children according to their age group. The role of juices and soda drinks is also reviewed as a risk factor of obesity and its comorbidities. It is recalled that water and milk are two fundamental drinks in children and adolescents’. Finally, the importance of a good hydration if doing exercise is recalled (AU)

Recomendaciones de hidratación como base de una nutrición saludable en la infancia. Necesidades de agua en el niño / Advice of hydration as a base of a healthy nutrition during childhood. Water requirements in a child

El objetivo del presente trabajo es ofrecer una revisión sobre las necesidades de agua en la infancia. Para ello, se revisan las funciones del agua en el organismo, así como la cantidad, la distribución, el equilibrio y los determinantes del balance del agua corporal. Basándose en estos datos, se intentan establecerlos requerimientos de agua y las recomendaciones por edades según las autoridades sanitarias americana (Instituto Nacional de Salud) y europea (Panel Europeo de la Agencia Europea de Seguridad Alimentaria) (AU)

The object of this article is to update the water requirements in children. Because of this we review the functions of water in the body, the amount and distribution of water, the water balance and determinants of body water balance. Based on these data, we conclude that the water requirements and recommendations by age according to the U.S. Health Authorities (National Health Institute - DRI) and European (European Panel of the European Food Safety Agency) (AU)

El impacto del nitrógeno sobre la salud de la población / Impact of nitrogen on humans´ health

El presente artículo pretende revisar el impacto de los nitratos y nitritos sobre la salud de la población. Se revisan las concentraciones medioambientales de estos iones, tanto en el agua como en los alimentos, su metabolismo en el ser humano, la toxicidad aguda (metahemoglobinemia), la toxicidad crónica (carcinogénesis, aborto espontáneo, diabetes mellitus...) y, por último, se alude al origen y prevención de la contaminación del agua por nitratos (AU)

Colestasis hepática en neonatos asociada a nutrición parenteral / Cholestasis associated parenteral nutrition in neonates

La administración de nutrición parenteral total (NPT) se asocia en un porcentaje elevado de pacientes a una alteración de los parámetros indicadores de la función hepática. En estos casos se aconseja retirar la nutrición parenteral e iniciar nutrición enteral lo antes posible. Entre los factores nutricionales que predisponen a colestasis hepática se encuentran: aporte calórico excesivo de lípidos, tipo de mezcla lipídica aportada en la NPT (los de cadena larga LCT mayor que los de cadena corta MCT) y duración de la NPT. En pacientes neonatos, además, la taurina juega un papel muy importante en la prevención y reducción de colestasis asociada con NPT prolongada (AU)