Serum IL-15 and IL-15Rα levels are decreased in lean and obese physically active humans.

Circulating IL-15 presence is required to stimulate anti-adipogenic effects of the IL-15/IL-15Rα axis in adipose tissue. Although exercise increases blood IL-15 expression post-exercise, it remains inconclusive whether physical activity can alter the baseline concentrations of this cytokine. The aim of this study was to determine whether physical activity regulates circulating IL-15 and IL-15Rα in lean and obese individuals. Two hundred and seventy-six participants were divided into five groups according to physical activity (PA), body mass and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) diagnosis: (a) lean PA (N = 25); (b) lean non-PA (N = 28); (c) obese PA (N = 64); (d) obese non-PA (N = 79); and (e) obese non-PA with T2DM (N = 80). Serum IL-15 and IL-15Rα, blood glucose/lipid profile and body composition were measured. Serum IL-15 and IL-15Rα decreased in PA participants compared to non-PA (P < .05), while IL-15 and IL-15Rα increased in obese with T2DM compared to obese without T2DM (P < .05). No differences were observed between lean non-PA and obese PA. Serum IL-15Rα was associated with fasting glucose (R2 = .063), insulin (R2 = .082), HbA1c (R2 = .108), and HOMA (R2 = .057) in obese participants. Circulating IL-15 and IL-15Rα are reduced in lean and obese participants who perform physical activity regularly (≥180 min/week), suggesting a regulative role of physical activity on the circulating concentrations of IL-15 and IL-15Rα at baseline. Moreover, the relationship observed between IL-15Rα and glucose profile may indicate a role of the alpha receptor in glucose metabolism.

Consejo nutricional: herramienta efectiva en la lucha contra la desnutrición / Nutritional counseling: an effective tool in the fight against malnutrition

No disponible

[Scalp metastasis as the first manifestation of mixed follicular-papillary thyroid cancer]. / Metástasis en cuero cabelludo como primera manifestación de cáncer de tiroides mixto folicular-papilar.

Distant metastases are a rare occurrence in differentiated thyroid cancer, and when detected in skin, often arise in the context of disseminated disease after many years of progression since diagnosis. This study presents the case of a 77-year-old female without known thyroid disease, who presented with metastases in the parieto-occipital scalp region, in which thyroid tissue was identified. Thyroid ultrasound identified a nodule reported as a follicular tumour and preoperative investigation of tumour spread was negative. Total thyroidectomy plus central lymph node dissection were performed and histopathology reported mixed papillary-follicular carcinoma without lymph node metastasis. Lung micrometastases were detected in the post-I131 whole-body scan (104.7 mCi dose), and two months after a second dose of 131I (125 mCi), thyroglobulin was undetectable. Thyroid cancer should be included in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous metastases, since with early diagnosis and treatment, prognosis is generally more favourable than in other solid tumours.

Metástasis en cuero cabelludo como primera manifestación de cáncer de tiroides mixto folicular-papilar / Scalp metastasis as the first manifestation of mixed follicularpapillary thyroid cancer

La aparición de metástasis a distancia en los cánceres diferenciados de tiroides es poco frecuente, y cuando se detectan en piel, suelen darse en el contexto de una enfermedad diseminada después de muchos años de evolución desde el diagnóstico. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 77 años, sin enfermedad tiroidea conocida que debutó con una metástasis en región parietooccipital del cuero cabelludo en la que se identificó tejido tiroideo. En la ecografía tiroidea se identificó un nódulo informado como tumor folicular y el estudio de extensión precirugía fue negativo. Se le hizo tiroidectomía total más vaciamiento ganglionar del compartimento central y el estudio AP fue informado de carcinoma mixto folicular-papilar sin afectación ganglionar. En el RCT post-I131 (dosis de 104,7 mCi) se detectaron micrometástasis pulmonares, y a los 2 meses de una segunda dosis de I131 (125 mCi), la tiroglobulina fue indetectable. El cáncer tiroideo debe incluirse en el diagnóstico diferencial de las metástasis cutáneas, puesto que su diagnóstico y tratamiento temprano, excepto en los casos de enfermedad muy avanzada, el pronóstico de su hallazgo suele ser más favorable que en el resto de tumores sólidos (AU)

Distant metastases are a rare occurrence in differentiated thyroid cancer, and when detected in skin, often arise in the context of disseminated disease after many years of progression since diagnosis. This study presents the case of a 77-year-old female without known thyroid disease, who presented with metastases in the parieto-occipital scalp region, in which thyroid tissue was identified. Thyroid ultrasound identified a nodule reported as a follicular tumour and preoperative investigation of tumour spread was negative. Total thyroidectomy plus central lymph node dissection were performed and histopathology reported mixed papillary-follicular carcinoma without lymph node metastasis. Lung micrometastases were detected in the post-I131 whole-body scan (104.7 mCi dose), and two months after a second dose of 131I (125 mCi), thyroglobulin was undetectable. Thyroid cancer should be included in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous metastases, since with early diagnosis and treatment, prognosis is generally more favourable than in other solid tumours (AU)

Importancia del diagnóstico precoz de fenilcetonuria en la mujer y del control de los niveles de fenilalanina en la gestación / Importance of early diagnosis of phenylketonuria in women and control of phenylalanine levels during pregnancy

La Fenilalanina Hidroxilasa (PAH) hidroxila a nivel hepático la fenilalanina proveniente de la dieta. Los fetos dependen para la hidroxilación de fenilalanina de la función materna, ya que por inmadurez fetal esta función no se adquiere hasta la semana 26. Los pacientes con deficiencia de PAH (Fenilcetonuria, PKU) no hidroxilan adecuadamente la fenilalanina de la dieta por lo que sus niveles en sangre estan elevados. Los niveles de fenilalaninemia se consideran teratogénicos y neurotóxicos por encima de 360 umol/L (N < 120). Las mujeres PKU embarazadas deberán seguir estrictamente un tratamiento dietético y/o farmacológico para mantener niveles de fenilalaninemia < 180 umol/L y evitar las posibles complicaciones teratogénicas en el feto (Sindrome Fetal de Hiperfenilalaninemia Materna), como el caso que presentamos. Recomendamos descartar Fenilcetonuria en mujeres en quienes no se haya realizado un despistaje neonatal y/o tengan abortos, hijos con microcefalia, cardiopatía o malformaciones renales (AU)

The phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) in the liver hydroxylates phenylalanine from the diet. Fetuses depend for the hydroxylation of phenylalanine the maternal metabolism , fetal maturity does not come until week 26. Though the women with PAH deficiency (phenylketonuria, PKU) not adequately hydroxylate phenylalanine diet so their blood levels are high. Fenilalaninemia levels are considered neurotoxic teratogenic and above 360 umol/L (N < 120). Pregnant women should strictly follow PKU dietary treatment and/or drug to maintain levels of fenilalaninemia < 180 umol/L and avoid the teratogenic complications in the fetus (Hyperphenylalaninaemias Maternal Fetal Syndrome), as the case presented. We recommend discarding Phenylketonuria in women who have not been done a neonatal screening and/or have abortions, children with microcephaly, cardiac or renal malformations (AU)

[Importance of early diagnosis of phenylketonuria in women and control of phenylalanine levels during pregnancy]. / Importancia del diagnóstico precoz de fenilcetonuria en la mujer y del control de los niveles de fenilalanina en la gestación.

The phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) in the liver hydroxylates phenylalanine from the diet. Fetuses depend for the hydroxylation of phenylalanine the maternal metabolism , fetal maturity does not come until week 26. Though the women with PAH deficiency (phenylketonuria, PKU) not adequately hydroxylate phenylalanine diet so their blood levels are high. Fenilalaninemia levels are considered neurotoxic teratogenic and above 360 umol/L (N < 120). Pregnant women should strictly follow PKU dietary treatment and/or drug to maintain levels of fenilalaninemia < 180 umol/L and avoid the teratogenic complications in the fetus (Hyperphenylalaninaemias Maternal Fetal Syndrome), as the case presented. We recommend discarding Phenylketonuria in women who have not been done a neonatal screening and/or have abortions, children with microcephaly, cardiac or renal malformations.

[Risk factors for abnormal liver function tests of parenteral nutrition in a referral hospital in Mexico]. / Factores de riesgo para las anormalidades de enzimas hepáticas de la nutrición parenteral en un hospital de referencia de México.

INTRODUCTION: the abnormalities in liver function tests (LFTs) and liver complications (LC) from parenteral nutrition (PN) are common and usually multifactorial. These factors have not yet been assessed in the adult Mexican population. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the dose prescribed > 1 g/kg is a risk factor for the abnormalities in liver function tests (LFTs) from PN. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cohort study including patients older than 15 years and excluding those managed at the intensive car unit or with abnormalities in liver enzymes before the start of PN. The exposed and non-exposed groups were those receiving > 1 g of lipids per kg of body weight or < 1 g/kg, respectively. LFTs were defined as an increase higher than 50% of the normal range for AST, ALT, AF or total bilirrubin. RESULTS: the incidence of LFTs abnormalities was 20 (47.6%) and 15 (41.6%) in the exposed and non-exposed groups, respectively (RR 1.14 95% IC: 0.69-1.88; p = 0.59). The most frequent liver damage pattern was cholestatic, followed by the mixed pattern and then hepatocellular. The dose of prescribed lipids > 1 g/kg was not associated with the development of LC from LFTs abnormalities. The higher the dose of proteins the lower the frequency of LFTs abnormalities. CONCLUSION: The dose of lipids prescribed >1 g/kg was not associated with the development of LFTs abnormalities from PN in our sample population. These findings should be confirmed in clinical trials.

[Effectiveness of PRECEDE model for health education in metabolic control and reduction of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with diabetes type 2]. / Eficacia del modelo PRECEDE, de educación para la salud, en el control metabólico y de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of PRECEDE model for health education, in the metabolic control and the reduction of cardiovascular risk factors, in type 2 diabetic patients followed for over two years in primary health care services. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PRECEDE model for health education was used in 318 patients with type 2 diabetes, from five primary health care centres. The study was conducted during two years of monitoring. RESULTS: After two years of follow-up was observed decrease in diastolic and systolic pressures (p < 0.05), as well as in levels of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (p < 0.05). Patients with good metabolic control (glycated hemoglobin A1c < 7% and LDL cholesterol < 100 mg/dl), increased from 9.9% to 16.8% (p < 0,05). On the other hand, 27% of patients improved their level of therapeutic adherence, and there was a decreased in the number of patients with microalbuminuria from 8.4% to 6.3% (p = 0.05). Finally, we found no differences in levels of glycated hemoglobin A1c, BMI and cardiovascular risk. Mortality after two years was 0.7%. DISCUSSION: PRECEDE model for health education is a useful method in the management of type 2 diabetes, that reduce the levels of blood pressure both systolic and diastolic, decrease the lipid levels, and improve the level of therapeutic adherence in type 2 diabetic patients, followed for two years.

Eficacia del modelo PRECEDE, de educación para la salud, en el control metabólico y de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 / Effectiveness of PRECEDE model for health education in metabolic control and reduction of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with diabetes type 2

Objetivo: Evaluar el modelo PRECEDE como educación diabetológica, a medio (un año) y largo plazo (dos años), valorando los cambios en el riesgo cardiovascular (RCV) y en los factores de riesgo cardiovasculares de mayor importancia en los pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 (hipertensión arterial, obesidad y lípidos), respecto a los valores iniciales previos a la intervención educativa. Material y métodos: La población a estudiar se compuso de un total de 318 pacientes diagnosticados de diabetes tipo 2, a los que se sometió a una educación diabetológica mediante el modelo PRECEDE. El estudio se llevó a cabo durante dos años de seguimiento. Resultados: Al final de los dos años de seguimiento se observó la disminución de la tensión arterial diastólica (TAD) y la tensión arterial sistólica (TAS) (p < 0,05), así como de los niveles de colesterol total y colesterol LDL (p < 0,05). Los pacientes con buen control metabólico global (hemoglobina glucosilada A1c (HbA1c) < 7% y colesterol LDL < 100 mg/dl), aumentaron del 9,9 al 16,8% (p < 0,05), y un 27% de los pacientes mejoraron el nivel de cumplimiento terapéutico. Por otro lado, disminuyó el número de pacientes con microalbuminuria del 8,4 al 6,3% (p = 0,05). No se encontraron diferencias en los niveles de HbA1c, el índice de masa corporal (IMC) y el RCV. La mortalidad a los dos años fue del 0,7%. Discusión: La educación diabetológica basada en el modelo PRECEDE es un método útil en el tratamiento integral del paciente con diabetes tipo 2, al contribuir a disminuir los niveles de la tensión arterial tanto sistólica como diastólica y mejorar el perfil lipídico y el diferencial positivo entre los pacientes que incrementan su nivel de cumplimiento terapéutico y el de los que lo empeoran (AU)

Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of PRECEDE model for health education, in themetabolic control and the reduction of cardiovascular risk factors, in type 2 diabeticpatients followed for over two years in primary health care services.Materials and methods. PRECEDE model for health education was used in 318 patientswith type 2 diabetes, from fi ve primary health care centres. The study was conductedduring two years of monitoring.Results. After two years of follow-up was observed decrease in diastolic and systolicpressures (p < 0.05), as well as in levels of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (p <0.05). Patients with good metabolic control (glycated hemoglobin A1c < 7% and LDLcholesterol < 100 mg/dl), increased from 9.9% to 16.8% (p < 0,05). On the other hand,27% of patients improved their level of therapeutic adherence, and there was a decreasedin the number of patients with microalbuminuria from 8.4% to 6.3% (p = 0.05). Finally, wefound no differences in levels of glycated hemoglobin A1c, BMI and cardiovascular risk.Mortality after two years was 0.7%.Discussion. PRECEDE model for health education is a useful method in the managementof type 2 diabetes, that reduce the levels of blood pressure both systolic and diastolic,decrease the lipid levels, and improve the level of therapeutic adherence in type 2diabetic patients, followed for two years(AU)

Una sentencia firme contra la mala práctica en el tratamiento de la obesidad / A firm court resolution against malpractice in the treatment of obesity

Los tratamientos dietéticos incorrectos contra la obesidad pueden agravar el riesgo metabólico y cardiovascular de los pacientes, conducir a malnutriciones, facilitar en personas predispuestas el comienzo de trastornos de la conducta alimentaria, y favorecer la recuperación del peso perdido. Sin embargo, la práctica incorrecta de terapias contra el exceso de peso, a veces con promesas de resultados “milagro” sigue siendo bastante frecuente en nuestro país. La denuncia pública de un método concreto aplicado por clínicas de adelgazamiento muy populares en Madrid, realizada por la Dras. Monereo y Vázquez, resultó en una querella que el director de las citadas clínicas interpuso contra las especialistas, por supuestos delitos contra su honor. En este artículo especial se resumen los hechos, se analizan los métodos concretos empleados por el denunciante, sus posibles consecuencias perjudiciales y se resume el contenido dela sentencia de uno de los juicios ya finalizado. Las principales conclusiones de la misma son: 1) que la educación sanitaria y la defensa de la salud pública es un deber profesional; 2) que el conocimiento actual de la obesidad como enfermedad compleja y en cuyo tratamiento un enfoque incorrecto puede agravar aún más el riesgo; 3) que existen suficientes consensos españoles e internacionales que enmarcan con toda precisión los criterios de buena práctica médica en relación con la obesidad; 4) que, sin embargo continúan habiendo tratamientos que constituyen engaño o fraude de distinta índole y que obedecen a negocios más que a actividad profesional, y 5) que la situación inaudita de ser demandadas por actuaciones que sólo responden a la actuación responsable dentro de una institución y buscando el beneficio público y ajustadas a Consensos ha supuesto a nivel personal e institucional una situación grave, difícil y dolorosa. Consideramos de trascendencia e interés la difusión de esta sentencia que constituye una referencia profesional y puede ser decisiva en la lucha contra la mala práctica en el tratamiento de la obesidad

Inappropriate dietary treatments against obesity may worsen patients’ metabolic and cardiovascular risk, lead to malnutrition, facilitate the appearance in predisposed individuals of eating disorders and ultimately favor the recovery of previously lost weight. Nonetheless, incorrect therapies aimed at reducing weight, sometimes accompanied by promises of miraculous results, are still rather frequent in our country. The public criticism by Drs. Monereo and Vazquez of a concrete method used by several very popular clinics in Madrid, resulted in the director of those centers suing them for libel. In this special article, we summarize the facts, analyze the methods used in those clinics and their likely negative consequences as well as sketch the content of the verdict of one of the trials, already concluded. Its main conclusions are the following: 1) Health education and the defense of public health is a professional duty; 2) The incorrect treatment of obesity can increase the risks associated with it; 3) There is a sufficient spanish and international consensus as well as Guidelines that clearly specifies the requisites of good medical practice with regard to obesity; 4) In spite of that, there are still treatments that constitute deception and fraud of different kinds and that respond more to business motivations rather than professional ones; 5) The fact of being sued as a result of activities that make part of a responsible behavior within an institution and whose purpose is the public benefit has entailed a serious, difficult and painful situation. We consider that the relevance and interest of the verdict warrants its diffusion because it constitutes a reference for professionals and may be decisive in the struggle against bad practices in obesity treatment

[Application of GIQLI questionnaire to two groups of healthy yogurt consumers]. / Aplicación del Cuestionario GIQLI a dos colectivos de sanos consumidores de yogur.

We present the outcomes of GIQLI Questionnaire (Gastrointestinal Quality of Life) application to three groups of healthy individuals: the first one, consumers of pasteurized yogurt; the second one, consumers of non-pasteurized yogurt; and the third one, a comparison control group of non-consumers. The results from the three groups are in agreement with other validation studies of the Questionnaire, not finding significant differences between groups.

Aplicación del Cuestionario GIQLI a dos colectivos de sanos consumidores de yogur / Application of GIQLI questionnaire to two groups of healthy yogurt consumers

Se presentan los resultados de la aplicación del Cuestionario GIQLI sobre Calidad de Vida Gastrointestinal a tres colectivos de sujetos sanos: uno consumidor de yogur pasteurizado, otro de yogur sin pasteurizar, en comparación con un tercer grupo control de no consumidores. Las cifras de los tres colectivos son congruentes con otros estudios de validación del Cuestionario sin encontrar diferencias valorables entre los tres grupos (AU)

We present the outcomes of GIQLI Questionnaire (Gastrointestinal Quality of Life) application to three groups of healthy individuals: the first one, consumers of pasteurized yogurt; the second one, consumers of non-pasteurized yogurt; and the third one, a comparison control group of non-consumers. The results from the three groups are in agreement with other validation studies of the Questionnaire, not finding significant differences between groups (AU)

[Implementation of an assisted electronic prescription system applied to parenteral nutrition in a general hospital]. / Implantación de un sistema de prescripción electrónica asistida aplicada a la nutrición parenteral en un hospital general.

Integrated and shared information systems allow obtaining a high degree of information about processes, costs and outcomes, and considerably reducing prescription errors. Assisted electronic prescription, in the setting of total parenteral nutrition, integrated with other hospital databases and with the hospital drugs management system, is a tool that allows increasing patient' safety (by reducing prescription errors), improving quality assistance, improving information systems and information management and the efficiency of used resources. In this work, implementation of an assisted electronic prescription system applied to parenteral nutrition in a hospital and processes reengineering performed in the nutrition setting are described. This implementation was performed by medical staff from the Nutrition and Diet Department and pharmacists from the Pharmacy Department of Ramón y Cajal Hospital using "Nutriwin" computer software. For two months prior and after its implementation, a follow-up of time consumed in the circuit prescription-validation-elaboration-dispensation of parenteral nutrition formulas has been performed. After implementation, treatment orders reach on average 1 h and 15 minutes sooner the Pharmacy Department; by avoiding transcription, a saving of 3 min per nutrition formula calculations is achieved, besides reducing potential errors; elaboration of nutrition formulas can be started on average 1 h and 20 minutes sooner as compared to manual prescription. Besides, the staff that writes down the prescription may know in real time the nutritional profile for each patient in the current episode and the patient's historic. Electronic prescription of treatment orders in this area has represented for our hospital an optimization of the employed resources, a reduction of potential errors that may occur, an improvement in consumption management, and an increase in the whole process quality.

Implantación de un sistema de prescripción electrónica asistida aplicada a la nutrición parenteral en un hospital general / Implementation of an assisted electronic prescription system applied to parenteral nutrition in a general hospital

Los sistemas de información integrados y compartidos permiten obtener un elevado nivel de información sobre los procesos, costes y resultados, y reducir considerablemente los errores de medicación. La prescripción electrónica asistida, en el área de nutrición parenteral total, integrado con otras bases de datos del hospital y con el sistema de gestión de medicamentos del hospital, es una herramienta que permite aumentar la seguridad del paciente (disminuyendo los errores de medicación), mejorar la calidad de la asistencia, mejorar los sistemas de información y la gestión de la misma y la eficiencia de los recursos empleados. En este trabajo se describe la implantación de un sistema de prescripción electrónica asistida aplicada a la nutrición parenteral en un hospital general, y la reingeniería de procesos llevado a cabo en el área de nutrición. Esta implantación se ha llevado a cabo por los facultativos médicos del servicio de Nutrición y Dietética y por farmacéuticos del Servicio de Farmacia del Hospital Ramón y Cajal utilizando para ello el programa informático "Nutriwin". Durante dos meses antes y después de su implantación, se ha realizado un seguimiento del tiempo empleado en el circuito prescripción-validación-elaboración-dispensación de las nutriciones parenterales. Tras la implantación las órdenes de tratamiento llegan, en promedio, 1 h 15 minutos antes al Servicio de Farmacia; al evitarse la trascripción se produce, además de la disminución de errores potenciales, un ahorro de 3 min/ nutrición en los cálculos a realizar; la elaboración de las nutriciones puede comenzarse como promedio 1h 20 minutos antes que si se realizara la prescripción manual. Así mismo los prescriptores pueden conocer en tiempo real el perfil nutricional de cada paciente en el episodio en curso así como su histórico. La prescripción electrónica de las órdenes de tratamiento en éste área ha supuesto para nuestro hospital una optimización de los recursos empleados, una disminución de los errores potenciales que se pueden producir, una mejora en la gestión de consumos, y un aumento en la calidad de todo el proceso (AU)

Integrated and shared information systems allow obtaining a high degree of information about processes, costs and outcomes, and considerably reducing prescription errors. Assisted electronic prescription, in the setting of total parenteral nutrition, integrated with other hospital databases and with the hospital drugs management system, is a tool that allows increasing patient' safety (by reducing prescription errors), improving quality assistance, improving information systems and information management and the efficiency of used resources. In this work, implementation of an assisted electronic prescription system applied to parenteral nutrition in a hospital and processes reengineering performed in the nutrition setting are described. This implementation was performed by medical staff from the Nutrition and Diet Department and pharmacists from the Pharmacy Department of Ramón y Cajal Hospital using "Nutriwin" computer software. For two months prior and after its implementation, a follow-up of time consumed in the circuit prescription-validation-elaboration-dispensation of parenteral nutrition formulas has been performed. After implementation, treatment orders reach on average 1 h and 15 minutes sooner the Pharmacy Department; by avoiding transcription, a saving of 3 min per nutrition formula calculations is achieved, besides reducing potential errors; elaboration of nutrition formulas can be started on average 1 h and 20 minutes sooner as compared to manual prescription. Besides, the staff that writes down the prescription may know in real time the nutritional profile for each patient in the current episode and the patient's historic. Electronic prescription of treatment orders in this area has represented for our hospital an optimization of the employed resources, a reduction of potential errors that may occur, an improvement in consumption management, and an increase in the whole process quality (AU)

[New nutrients in enteral nutrition]. / Nuevos nutrientes en nutrición enteral.

1. Medical and surgical stress (major surgery, sepsis, injuries,...) increases requirements of certain essential nutrients and others considered non-essential or semi-essential. 2. Some nutrients such as glutamine, arginine, omega 3 fatty acids nucleotides, ... have a considerable influence on the immune function (delayed hypersensitivity, lymphocyte sub-population counts, immunological tests,..) and improve certain metabolic and nutritional indices (nitrogen balance, medium and short life proteins,...). For this reason, they are called "immunonutrients" or "immunity regulators". 3. The supply of special enteral formulas for situations of immunological compromise, with the addition of one or more of the nutrients considered today as "immunity regulators" has increased since 1988 in both absolute and percentage terms. 4. These nutrient-enriched enteral formulas improve the rate of infections, reduce the number of days on ventilator equipment, the length of hospital stays for critical patients, with a more marked effect on surgical patients. 5. The evidence seems today to support the use of enriched formulas with critical patients. Nonetheless, some caution must be maintained as it has not been possible to show any reduction in the mortality of the cases studied nor, in short, in the prognosis of patients affected by situations of hypercatabolism and reduced immunity. 6. We feel that their use should, therefore, be carried out in accordance with the protocols and in patients expected to survive, where the evolution reveals severe catabolism unhindered by conventional therapy.

[The SUVIMAX (France) study: the role of antioxidants in the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disorders]. / Estudio SUVIMAX (Francia): el papel de los antioxidantes en la prevencion del cancer y la enfermedad cardiovascular.

The first ecological epidemiological studies revealed the possible preventive role of some foods which contain antioxidant compounds on cardiovascular disease and on some types of cancer. Nevertheless, later further research and the initial population-based supplementary tests at therapeutic doses have rendered contradictory results. To elucidate the cause-effect relationship of the antioxidant nutrients, the SU.VI.MAX study was considered in France. This is a prospective population-based study of randomized, double blind intervention, the prime objective of which is that of evaluating the effectiveness of a combination of antioxidant minerals and vitamins at nutritional dosages on the morbimortality by cancer and ischemic heart disease of a cohort of 12,749 volunteers of both sexes, ranging from 35 to 60 years of age, spread throughout France over an eight-year period. Likewise, an evaluation was also made of the impact of the supplement on the incidence of infectious disease, cataracts, the individual feeling of well-being and the use of health care resources, the biological markers of the vitamin and mineral status, the antioxidant activity, the immune condition and the evolution of the cardiovascular risk factors. The final points of this study are: the overall mortality, the specific mortality by cancer and/or ischemic heart disease, the incidence of cancer (of any type) and the incidence of ischemic heart disease. The assessment tools employed were: a monthly health questionnaire filled out telematically, a yearly clinical or analytical health check-up every other year, as well as the exhaustive monitoring and documentation of the adverse events and serious health problems. To ascertain the eating behavior and the evolution thereof in the individuals comprising the cohort, an eating survey was filled out twice a month. A description is provided of the means and methods employed in this study, the originality and magnitude of which entail unique aspects which serve to remedy some problems of nutritional epidemiology, as well as the strategies employed for maintaining the active collaboration of the cohort and the exhaustive monitoring thereof. Two years into this study, the consolidation of the monitoring organization and the low drop-out rate afford the possibility of anticipating that the SU.VI.MAX study is going to provide some answers of interest with regard to the relationship between antioxidants and good health.