[Maternal eating disorders and their influence on eating behavior of the children: a review of the literature]. / Trastornos alimentarios maternos y su influencia en la conducta alimentaria de sus hijas(os).

BACKGROUND: There is conclusive evidence about the influence of mothers with eating disorders (ED) on their children. OBJECTIVE: To describe different aspects about mothers with ED and its implications in the feeding, growing and development in their children. METHOD: A review of specialized textbooks and the available literature in PubMed was made. RESULTS: Mothers with previous or present ED show restrictive eating patterns, a deficient affective bond with their own mothers, exhibit more psychiatric comorbidities, mainly depression and anxiety; in addition, feelings of guilt and shame, early cessation of breastfeeding, high control of food consumption of their children, and/or pressure them to eat, irregular mealtimes, unbalanced and monotonous meals, proneness to slimness, a critical attitude about the body shape of their daughters. Breastfeeding implies a critical period for the irruption or relapse of an ED due to the adjustment to the characteristic body shape changes during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: There is a particular relationship between a maternal ED and its occurrence in their children, and it can be considered a risk factor for its development.

[Evolutionary perspective of eating disorders]. / Perspectiva evolucionista de los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria.

BACKGROUND: Evolutionary theory has contributed with physiological, psychological and behavioral explanations to the comprehension and treatment of eating disorders (ED). The aim of this review is to analyze the relationship between ED and the attachment theory and natural selection based hypotheses (famine flight, reproductive suppression and intrasexual competition). Insecure attachment is characteristic of ED and significantly interferes in the individuation developmental process. Maternal attachment is usually ambivalent; mainly avoidant in anorexics and anxious in bulimics. Anorexic syndrome evokes ancestral adaptive mechanisms to face food scarcity, status achievement and threat of group exclusion. Suppression of reproductive capacity in anorexics, favored by family dynamics, represents a self-sacrifice to obtain the benefit of its members through genetic altruism. Feminine intrasexual competence is related to nubile features in order to attract and retain high quality and long-term partners. Therefore, from an evolutionary perspective, ED symptomatology may be described as a self-destructive adaptive state of lack of control, in response to a particular genetic phenotype plasticity, environmental factors and cognitive processes.

Rosuvastatin positively changes nerve electrophysiology in diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of rosuvastatin on peripheral nerve function in diabetic rats using electrophysiological measurements. BACKGROUND: Diabetes was induced in 5-day-old male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of streptozotocin (STZ). As many as 45 diabetic rats were randomized to three groups: one treated with rosuvastatin (group R), another with rosuvastatin and mevalonate (group MR) and the other was untreated (group U). The data were compared with a group of normal age-matched rats i.e. control rats (group C). METHODS: Neurophysiological measurements were performed at the age of 3 months (T1) and again at the age of 8 months (T2), after 3 months of treatment. RESULTS: At T1, there was a trend to lower amplitude of compound motor action potential (CMAP) in the three diabetic groups as compared to controls, and no difference for motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), amplitude of sensory nerve action potential (SNAP), sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) between diabetic groups and controls. At T2, the amplitude of CMAP was significantly lower in groups R and MR versus group U and control rats. MNCV was significantly and similarly decreased in the three diabetic groups; the latency of the first sensory peak (fastest sensory fibres) was significantly increased in group U but was normal in groups R and MR. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that: 1.rosuvastatin exerts a beneficial effect on the conduction of the fastest sensory fibres;2.these effects are independent of blood pressure and lipid changes.

Bringing back the fruit into fruit fly-bacteria interactions.

Female Mediterranean fruit flies (Ceratitis capitata) oviposit in fruits, within which the larvae develop. This development is associated with rapid deterioration of the fruit, and frequently with invasion by secondary pests. Most research on the associations between medflies and microorganisms has focused on the bacteria inhabiting the digestive system of the adult fly, while the role of the fruit in mediating, amplifying or regulating the fruit fly microflora has been largely neglected. In this study, we examine the hypothesis that the host fruit plays a role in perpetuating the fly-associated bacterial community. Using direct and cultured-based approaches, we show that this community is composed in its very large majority of diazotrophic and pectinolytic Enterobacteriaceae. Our data suggest that this fly-associated enterobacterial community is vertically transmitted from the female parent to its offspring. During oviposition, bacteria are transferred to the fruit, establish and proliferate within it, causing its decay. These results show that the host fruit is indeed a central partner in the fruit fly-bacterial interaction as these transmitted bacteria are amplified by the fruit, and subsequently maintained throughout the fly's life. This enterobacterial community may contribute to the fly's nitrogen and carbon metabolism, affecting its development and ultimately, fitness.

Gut bacterial communities in the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) and their impact on host longevity.

Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) harbor stable bacterial communities in their digestive system, composed mainly of members of the Enterobacteriaceae. However, the Enterobacteriaceae are not the sole community in this habitat. We examined the hypothesis that Pseudomonas spp. form a cryptic community in the gut of Ceratitis capitata, the Mediterranean fruit fly ('medfly'). Suicide polymerase restriction PCR (SuPER PCR), a novel culture-independent technique, revealed that Pseudomonas spp. form minor, common and stable communities within the medfly's gut. These include P. aeruginosa, a known pathogen of arthropods. Experimental inoculations with high levels of P. aeruginosa reduced the medfly's longevity while inoculations with members of the Enterobacteriaceae extended the fly's life. Accordingly, we suggest that in addition to their possible contribution to the fly's nitrogen and carbon metabolism, development and copulatory success (as shown in previous studies), the Enterobacteriaceae community within the medfly's gut may also have an indirect contribution to host fitness by preventing the establishment or proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.

[Radiobiology base change: long term effects of ionizing radiation]. / La radiobiologie a changé de base; les effets à long terme des rayonnements ionisants revisités.

By definition, radiobiology studies energy transferring from ionizing radiations to biological material. For a long time, radiobiologists have mainly focused in physical issues and its impact on biological cells and tissues. Moreover, DNA damage, specifically of single and double strands (correctly or not restored by enzymatic repair processes), was studied through diverse mathematical models but only one experimental method: cell death measurement. Today, radiobiology has become again a strictly biological science, focused on the future of energy deposit. Genomic instability is the first step, as it studies the amplification over time of a gene signal in a clonal population derived from a single surviving cell after radiation exposure, independently of initial radiation doses. Bystander effect demonstrates that damage signals may be transmitted from irradiated to non-irradiated cells in a population with the same long term radio-induced effect. Abscopal effect is a reaction produced following irradiation, but occurring outside the site of radiation absorption (for example, from irradiated right lung to DNA damage of the left lung). Clastogenic factors are chromosome damaging substances which are present in irradiated patients's plasma. These data could change the fundamentals of radioprotection, as declared UNSCEAR during the 54th session of may 2006.

A randomized controlled trial to prevent obesity among Latino paediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: Obesity disproportionately affects Latino youth. Community clinics are an important resource, yet there is little evidence for the efficacy of clinic-based approaches in this population. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a clinic-based intervention to lower body mass index (BMI) and improve body composition among overweight Latino children. METHODS: A randomized trial (2 group × 3 repeated measures) was conducted among 297 randomly sampled, overweight paediatric patients (5-10 years old) and their parents. The 12-month family-based culturally tailored behavioural intervention (Luces de Cambio) was based on the 'traffic light' concepts to address behaviour change and was delivered by clinic health educators and mid-level providers. The primary study outcome was child BMI (kg m-2 ) assessed at baseline, 6-month (n = 191) and 12-month (n = 201) post-baseline. A subsample of the children was examined for overall and site-specific adiposity using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (n = 79). RESULTS: There were no significant intervention effects on child BMI (p > 0.05); however, intervention children showed significantly (p < 0.05) lower total and trunk per cent fat compared with the usual care condition. CONCLUSIONS: The Luces intervention did not reduce child BMI, yet small but significant reductions were observed for child per cent body fat. Further research is needed to identify and reduce barriers to recruitment and participation among Latino families.

Effect of cerivastatin on peripheral capillary permeability to albumin and peripheral nerve function in diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of cerivastatin on capillary permeability to albumin and peripheral nerve function in diabetic rats. ANIMALS: Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by i.p. injection of streptozotocin (STZ) at the age of 5 days. Forty diabetic rats were randomized in two groups: one treated by cerivastatin (diabetic treated group, DT) and the other untreated (diabetic untreated group, DU). The data were compared to a group of normal rats. MEASUREMENTS: The peripheral capillary filtration of albumin (CFA) was studied on a limb by a non-invasive isotopic method, and nerve electrophysiological measurements were performed. Rats were followed-up until 6 months. In group DU albumin retention (AR) increased by 3 months and lymphatic uptake of interstitial albumin was impaired at 6 months. None of these disorders was observed in group DT. Motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities (MNCV and SNCV) were significantly slower at 6 months in group DU but not in group DT as compared to control rats. The duration of the sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) was significantly longer in group DU than in control rats at 6 months whereas it did not differ in group DT and in control animals. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that cerivastatin may prevent the peripheral increase in CFA and lymphatic dysfunction induced by diabetes. These beneficial effects on microcirculation may be involved in the prevention of nerve function deterioration. The underlying mechanisms are likely to be independent of a lipid-lowering effect, but their clarification needs further investigations.

Differentiation between Israeli B. bovis vaccine strain and field isolates.

The present study demonstrated for the first time the ability to distinguish between the Israeli Babesia bovis vaccine strain and field isolates. The existence of an additional EcoRI restriction site in the rhoptry-associated protein-1 (rap-1) gene, which is unique to the Israeli vaccine strain, and the abolition of one of the HaeIII restriction sites in the rap-1 gene of the vaccine strain enabled distinction between the Israeli B. bovis vaccine strain and field isolates, and this was the basis for polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) development. ClustalW sequence alignment of RAP-1-deduced amino acids of the Israeli B. bovis strains and of field isolates showed that the total sequence identity among the RAP-1 amino acid sequences ranged from 97.5% to 100%. However, comparison between amino acids of RAP-1 of the Israeli vaccine strain and of field isolates, on the one hand, and B. bovis strains from Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, and USA, on the other hand, revealed 90% identity. The PCR-RFLP assay offered the great advantage of being able to distinguish between vaccine and field isolates in mixtures and provide new insight into the molecular epidemiology of B. bovis infections in Israel.

Molecular characterization of the Israeli B. bigemina vaccine strain and field isolates.

The present study demonstrated the genetic character of the Israeli Babesia bigemina vaccine strain and field isolates, based on rap-1a and rap-1c gene sequences. The RAP-1a of blood-derived Israeli B. bigemina field isolates shared 100% amino acid sequence identity. However, comparison of RAP-1c from various Israeli B. bigemina field isolates revealed that the total sequence identity among the field isolates ranged from 98.2 to 100%. High identity was observed when RAP-1a sequences from the Israeli vaccine strain and field isolates were compared with RAP-1a from Egypt, Syria, Mexico and South Africa, while, the Israeli RAP-1c sequences showed the highest identity to the Mexican isolate JG-29 and to the PR isolate from Puerto-Rico. Based on sequence variations between the rap-1a of the vaccine strain and that of the field isolate, and between the rap-1c of the vaccine strain and that of the field isolates, nPCR-RFLP procedures were developed that enable, for the first time differentiation between the Israeli B. bigemina vaccine strain and field-infection isolates. These assays could serve as fast and sensitive methods for detection and differentiation between Israeli B. bigemina vaccine strains and field isolates, as well as for epidemiological investigations.

Gold tracer studies of muscle regeneration.

Rabbits were injected with soluble gold, and cold injury was inflicted upon their extraocular muscles. Following the typical freeze-thaw damage in which the myofiber basement membrane is preserved, a polymorphonuclear granulocyte exudation occurred. At this stage only a few interstitial cells with long processes contained gold. At one and two days abundant mononuclear cells with gold were observed at the site of injury. In subsequent stages of muscle regeneration the amount of tracer decreased but myoblasts, and even fully formed myotubes, often contained detectable gold. Some data on "in vivo" gold salt kinetics and the specificity of gold localization were utilised in the study of the relation between mononuclear interstitial cells and myoblasts.

Isotopic test of capillary permeability to albumin in diabetic patients: effects of hypertension, microangiopathy, and duration of diabetes.

Capillary permeability to albumin (CPA) was studied by performing an isotopic noninvasive test with venous compression on 87 nonselected diabetics with no edema, no cardiac failure, and no peripheral vascular disease. Excessive albumin retention (AR greater than or equal to 8%) ten minutes after removal of the compression was found in 27 patients (31%). The radioactivity disappearance curve was then analyzed using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). An abnormal isotopic CPA test was thus found in at least 45 out of the 87 patients. The prevalence of an abnormal test was not different in type 1 and type 2 diabetics. We studied the independent effects of hypertension, presence of specific clinical signs of microangiopathy (retinopathy and/or significant proteinuria), and duration of diabetes. Among diabetics free of specific clinical signs of microangiopathy, the prevalence of an AR greater than or equal to 8% was significantly higher in those with hypertension (11/19) than in those with normal blood pressure (2/28) and in nondiabetic hypertensive patients (0/16). Among normotensive diabetics, the prevalence of an abnormal test was higher, but not significantly, in patients with specific clinical signs of microangiopathy (8/11) than in those free of them (7/18). Seven normotensive diabetics without specific clinical signs of microangiopathy had an abnormal test; five of them had had diabetes for more than five years. The prevalence of diabetes of more than five years duration was significantly higher in patients with an abnormal test (35/45) than in normotensive diabetics free of specific clinical signs of microangiopathy with a normal test (4/11).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Increased capillary filtration of albumin in diabetic patients--relation with gender, hypertension, microangiopathy, and neuropathy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with an increase in capillary filtration of albumin (CFA) in a large series of diabetic patients and its relationship with gender, hypertension, microangiopathy, and neuropathy. One hundred sixty-three unselected diabetic patients, 74 type I and 89 type II, were included. An isotopic test of CFA was performed with 99m technetium-labeled albumin injected intravenously. Radioactivity was counted externally at the forearm with a gamma camera before, during, and after venous compression. After removal of venous compression, interstitial albumin retention (AR) was calculated and the radioactivity disappearance curve was analyzed by the Fast Fourier transform, which provides an index for lymphatic uptake of interstitial albumin (low-frequency to high-frequency amplitude peak ratio [LF/HF]). An increase in AR and LF/HF was found in 65 (39.9%) and 117 (71.7%) patients, respectively. Increased AR was significantly more frequent in women than in men (P=.018) and in patients without microangiopathic complications than in those with them (P=.028). In men, it was significantly more frequent in type I versus type II diabetic patients (P=.004), and AR was significantly higher in patients with peripheral neuropathy than in those without (P=.004). The LF/HF was also significantly higher in men with peripheral neuropathy (P=.045). In women, the AR level correlated negatively with postprandial glycemia (P=.006) and was significantly higher in patients without microangiopathic complications (P=.003). These data suggest the role of hormonal factors, both sex steroids and insulin, and the major role of peripheral neuropathy in the increase in CFA. The highly prevalent increase in CFA before the onset of microangiopathic complications is consistent with the presence of a functional microcirculatory disorder that might contribute to the occurrence of microangiopathic lesions.

Impairment of lymphatic function in women with gynoid adiposity and swelling syndrome.

The current study sought to investigate the factors, in particular anthropometric parameters, associated with an impairment of capillary permeability and lymphatic function in a large series of women complaining of a swelling syndrome. One hundred ninety-seven women with a swelling syndrome were investigated, 43 of whom were obese (body mass index [BMI]>30 kg/m2), 77 overweight (BMI=25 to 30 kg/m2). Thirty-five of the 197 women had abdominal adiposity (waist-to-hip ratio [WHR]>0.85). Capillary filtration of albumin and lymphatic function were studied by means of an isotopic test using 99mtechnetium-labeled albumin and venous compression. This test allowed measurement of interstitial albumin retention (AR) and the evaluation of lymphatic function by analyzing the radioactivity disappearance curve after removal of venous compression with the fast Fourier transform (low frequency/high frequency [LF/HF]). Body composition was studied by the bioelectrical impedance method. WHR correlated with fasting blood glucose (P=.03), serum triglyceride (P<.0001), and apoprotein B (P=.008) levels. AR was increased (> or =8 %) in 117 women (59.4%) and LF/HF (> or =1 %) in 149 cases (75.6%). Extracellular water (ECW) was increased (>107% of the theoretical value) in 144 cases (73.1%). LF/HF correlated negatively with age (P=.001), BMI (P=.006), WHR (P<.0001), and fat mass (P=.002). In the multivariate analysis taking age, BMI, and WHR as independent variables, LF/HF correlated significantly with WHR (P<.005). There was a trend to a higher prevalence of an increase in AR in the women with an increase in ECW (61.8 %) as compared with those without an increase in ECW (52.8%). We conclude that abdominal adiposity is associated with metabolic disorders secondary to insulin resistance as previously demonstrated, whereas lymphatic dysfunction is mainly associated with gynoid adiposity. Besides microcirculatory disorders, changes in the secretory regulation of hormones involved in salt and water retention are likely to play an important role in ECW excess.

In vivo sequential study of skeletal muscle capillary permeability in diabetic rats: effect of anthocyanosides.

Alterations in the capillary filtration of macromolecules are well documented in diabetic patients and experimental diabetes. Various flavonoids including anthocyanosides and ginkgo biloba extracts have been shown to be effective against experimentally induced capillary hyperfiltration. The aim of the present study was to test the effects of anthocyanosides on capillary filtration in diabetic rats. For this purpose, we have validated the use of our previously described in vivo method for measurement of the capillary filtration of albumin (CFA) in rats. Male Wistar rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes were randomized in 3 groups to receive either ginkgo biloba (group A), Vaccinium myrtillus (group B), or no treatment (group C). The isotopic test of CFA consisted of intravenously injecting 99mtechnetium-labeled albumin, inducing venous compression on a hindquarter, and measuring radioactivity externally on the limb before, during, and after removal of venous compression. After removal of the tourniquet, the radioactivity curve decreased. Interstitial albumin retention (AR) and the ratio of the amplitudes of the low- and high-frequency peaks (LF/HF ratio), an index of lymphatic function obtained by the fast Fourier transform of the last part of the radioactivity curve, were calculated. In STZ-treated animals, the isotopic test was performed at a mean age of 97 days (time 1) and after 6 weeks (time 2) and 12 weeks (time 3) of treatment, ie, 6 and 12 weeks after time 1. At time 1, AR was significantly higher in the 3 diabetic groups than in the control rats, without a significant difference between these groups. In group B, AR decreased significantly (P = .015) at times 2 and 3. In group C, AR increased significantly (P < .0005) from time 1 to time 3. In group A, AR increased slightly (NS) between time 1 and time 3. In groups A and C, the LF/HF ratio significantly increased with time (P < .0005) and the levels at time 3 were significantly higher versus control rats (P < .0001). In group B, the LF/HF ratio remained unchanged from time 1 to time 3 and similar to the values found in the control rats. In conclusion, these data show that (1) this new in vivo noninvasive method can be used to study CFA in skeletal muscle in diabetic rats, (2) it is reproducible and may be repeated over several months to evaluate spontaneous microcirculatory changes, and (3) anthocyanosides appear to be effective in preventing the increase in CFA and the failure of lymphatic uptake of interstitial albumin in diabetic animals.

Nephrogenic adenoma: benign proliferative lesion of urothelium.

Three new cases of a rare benign proliferative lesion of the urothelium (nephrogenic adenoma) are hereby added to the existent 58 reported cases. All 3 lesions occurred in the bladder. Two of the 3 cases presented with a history of surgical interventions on the bladder, and the third patient had a history of chronic cystitis and pyelonephritis, and was on chronic dialysis. Diagnosis was made on histologic examination of cystoscopic biopsy of the lesions. Transurethral resection and/or fulguration was the treatment of choice. There was no recurrence of the lesions on follow-up cystoscopic examination.

Teratoid intraocular medulloepithelioma.

The right eye of a 1-year-old black infant with a painful blind eye was studied histologically. It contained a tumor at an advanced stage of growth. The tumor consisted of moderately large, round, and elongated undifferentiated cells and anaplastic cells with mitotic figures combined with multilayered, poorly differentiated epithelial cells that resembled the medullary epithelium of embryonic retina. Strap cells with cross striation typical of striated muscle were also present, together with islands of hyaline cartilage and areas of calcification.

Neuropathic form of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. Report of 3 cases with complete necropsy, including the first reported case of agenesis of muscle spindles.

In 3 infants with arthrogryposis multiplex congenital (AMC) complete necropsy, including removal of the entire spinal cord, was performed. Histologically, spinal type (neurogenic) atrophy of skeletal muscles in conjunction with spinal motor neurone depletion, unaccompanied by noticeable gliosis, were the most preminent features common to all cases. In addition to these, one infant (Case 1) showed total absence of muscle spindles as evident from the examination of several hundred step-serial paraffin sections covering 11 different levels in 36 samples taken from a wide range of skeletal muscles of both upper and lower extremities. This is believed to be the first published case of agenesis of muscle spindles.

In vivo kinetics of 123 iodine-labelled insulin in skeletal muscle of patients with type 2 diabetes. Effect of metformin.

BACKGROUND: The capillary filtration of albumin (CFA) is often increased in diabetic patients. However, the transcapillary transfer of insulin is considered to be a key stage in insulin action. The aim was to study the in vivo kinetics of 123I-labelled human insulin in the skeletal muscle of type 2 diabetic patients with an increase in CFA and to evaluate the effect of metformin, using a noninvasive method. METHODS: Ten type 2 diabetic patients and 6 healthy control subjects were investigated. After an i.v injection of 123I-labelled insulin, venous samples were drawn during 75 minutes and radioactivity was counted externally by a gammacamera on the contralateral forearm before, during and after venous compression. The changes in the serum percentages of bound and free 123I were followed during the entire test and the forearm iodine bound to insulin was estimated by multiplying the forearm counted radioactivity by the serum percentage of bound iodine at the same time. RESULTS: In the diabetic patients the maximal increase in the forearm iodine bound to insulin during venous compression was lower (p=0.06), and 10 minutes after removal of venous compression the forearm retention of labelled insulin was significantly lower (p<0.0005) than in controls. After one month of metformin treatment, retention of labelled insulin significantly increased (p<0.001) but was still significantly lower than in the controls (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The in vivo kinetics of (123) I-labelled insulin procedure allows the study of skeletal muscle metabolism provided venous compression is exerted. In type 2 diabetic patients a reduction of insulin transfer from capillary to tissue despite an increase in CFA, and a reduction of the time spent by insulin in the tissues contribute to insulin resistance. The latter disorder may be improved by metformin.

Increased capillary permeability to albumin and diabetic neuropathy.

An increase in the capillary permeability to albumin (CPA) has been reported in diabetic patients. We observed this frequently with a non-invasive isotopic test derived from the Landis method, using 99mTc-albumin and measuring residual radioactivity externally after removal of forearm venous compression. Evidence of the independent effects of hypertension and microangiopathy on CPA has already been found. The present work was designed to investigate CPA using the same test on diabetic patients without retinopathy and clinical proteinuria. Some of these patients had objective clinical distal and symmetrical polyneuropathy. Neuropathy was clearly present in 10 of the 11 patients with an abnormal test unexplained by causes other than diabetes and in only one of the 17 patients with a normal test. The most frequent abnormality affected the late radioactivity disappearance curve, which probably reflects an impaired lymphatic wash-out of interstitial albumin. These results strongly suggest a link between peripheral neuropathy and diabetic functional microangiopathy. An elevated blood flow secondary to sympathetic nerve failure may induce an increase in CPA and a saturation of lymphatic pumping which could also be deficient due to impaired lymphatic innervation.