Molecular detection of Histoplasma capsulatum in organ samples from bats randomly captured in urban areas of Araraquara, São Paulo state, Brazil.

The mycosis histoplasmosis is also considered a zoonosis that affects humans and other mammalian species worldwide. Among the wild mammals predisposed to be infected with the etiologic agent of histoplasmosis, bats are relevant because they are reservoir of Histoplasma species, and they play a fundamental role in maintaining and spreading fungal propagules in the environments since the infective mycelial phase of Histoplasma grows in their accumulated guano. In this study, we detected the fungal presence in organ samples of bats randomly captured in urban areas of Araraquara City, São Paulo, Brazil. Fungal detection was performed using a nested polymerase chain reaction to amplify a molecular marker (Hcp100) unique to H. capsulatum, which revealed the pathogen presence in organ samples from 15 out of 37 captured bats, indicating 40.5% of infection. Out of 22 Hcp100-amplicons generated, 41% corresponded to lung and trachea samples and 59% to spleen, liver, and kidney samples. Data from these last three organs suggest that bats develop disseminated infections. Considering that infected bats create environments with a high risk of infection, it is important to register the percentage of infected bats living in urban areas to avoid risks of infection to humans, domestic animals, and wildlife.

Probiotics: insights and new opportunities for Clostridioides difficile intervention.

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a life-threatening disease caused by the Gram-positive, opportunistic intestinal pathogen C. difficile. Despite the availability of antimicrobial drugs to treat CDI, such as vancomycin, metronidazole, and fidaxomicin, recurrence of infection remains a significant clinical challenge. The use of live commensal microorganisms, or probiotics, is one of the most investigated non-antibiotic therapeutic options to balance gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota and subsequently tackle dysbiosis. In this review, we will discuss major commensal probiotic strains that have the potential to prevent and/or treat CDI and its recurrence, reassess the efficacy of probiotics supplementation as a CDI intervention, delve into lessons learned from probiotic modulation of the immune system, explore avenues like genome-scale metabolic network reconstructions, genome sequencing, and multi-omics to identify novel strains and understand their functionality, and discuss the current regulatory framework, challenges, and future directions.

[Evaluation of the growth of Callinectes sapidus (Decapoda: Portunidae) by the use of lengthbased methods based on size in Tamaulipas, Mexico]. / Evaluación del crecimiento de Callinectes sapidus (Decapoda: Portunidae) con métodos basados en talla, Tamaulipas, México.

The capture blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is one of the major fisheries of the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico; both in volume and selling price, as well as employment generation, but there is little information on its biological characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth parameters of the blue crab, establishing the most appropriate method. We estimated the length frequency of 17 814 crabs from commercial catch of thirteen locations, including four coastal lagoons. The lagoons were El Barril, Madre, Morales and San Andrés from Tamaulipas, State. Growth parameters were evaluated using indirect methods ELEFAN, PROJMAT and SLCA in combination with the jackknife technique to establish the uncertainty of estimates inherent in each method. The growth parameters L∞ and k were consolidated for purposes of comparison with the growth index phi prime (Φ'). With a mode of 110 mm, the interval carapace length varied between 60 and 205 mm. The values of the growth parameters varied according to the method used. Using SLCA, L∞ varied between 259 and 260 mm and k ranged between 0.749 and 0.750 /year; with PROJMAT, L∞ recorded values between 205 and 260 mm, k fluctuated between 0.550 and 0.740/year, and with ELEFAN, L∞ ranged between 156 and 215 mm and k varied between 0.479 and 0.848/year. Estimates by jackknife detected no variability in Φ' between locations and significant differences between methods. The ranges of values of Φ' and PROJMAT estimated SLCA (4.70 to 4.71 and 4.66 to 4.70, respectively) were in the range reported in the literature (4.201-4.798), while lower values ELEFAN contributed significantly (3.87 to 4.27). The SLCA and PROJMAT methods in combination with the jackknife technique, proved to be the most suitable to estimate the growth parameters of C. sapidus.

Frequency and genetic diversity of the MAT1 locus of Histoplasma capsulatum isolates in Mexico and Brazil.

The MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 idiomorphs associated with the MAT1 locus of Histoplasma capsulatum were identified by PCR. A total of 28 fungal isolates, 6 isolates from human clinical samples and 22 isolates from environmental (infected bat and contaminated soil) samples, were studied. Among the 14 isolates from Mexico, 71.4% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 48.3% to 94.5%) were of the MAT1-2 genotype, whereas 100% of the isolates from Brazil were of the MAT1-1 genotype. Each MAT1 idiomorphic region was sequenced and aligned, using the sequences of the G-217B (+ mating type) and G-186AR (- mating type) strains as references. BLASTn analyses of the MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 sequences studied correlated with their respective + and - mating type genotypes. Trees were generated by the maximum likelihood (ML) method to search for similarity among isolates of each MAT1 idiomorph. All MAT1-1 isolates originated from Brazilian bats formed a well-defined group; three isolates from Mexico, the G-217B strain, and a subgroup encompassing all soil-derived isolates and two clinical isolates from Brazil formed a second group; last, one isolate (EH-696P) from a migratory bat captured in Mexico formed a third group of the MAT1-1 genotype. The MAT1-2 idiomorph formed two groups, one of which included two H. capsulatum isolates from infected bats that were closely related to the G-186AR strain. The other group was formed by two human isolates and six isolates from infected bats. Concatenated ML trees, with internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) -5.8S-ITS2 and MAT1-1 or MAT1-2 sequences, support the relatedness of MAT1-1 or MAT1-2 isolates. H. capsulatum mating types were associated with the geographical origin of the isolates, and all isolates from Brazil correlated with their environmental sources.

Polymorphism 677C → T MTHFR gene in Mexican mothers of children with complex congenital heart disease.

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the third leading cause of death in children <1 year of age in Mexico where there is a high prevalence of the 677C → T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene. This is important because the homozygous 677T/T MTHFR gene and deficiency of folic acid (FA) intake have been associated with CHD. Our objective was to analyze the possible association between the genotype 677T/T of the MTHFR gene and supplementation of FA in Mexican women with the presence of complex CHD in their children. We analyzed genotypes of 31 mothers of children with complex CHD (group I) and 62 mothers of healthy children (group II) and investigated FA supplementation during pregnancy in both study groups. Allele frequencies in group I were 41.9 % for C and 58.1 % for T and 22.6 % for genotype frequencies CC, 38.7 % for CT, and 38.7 % for TT. Allele frequencies in group II were 63.7 % for C and 36.3 % for T and 38.7 % for genotype frequencies CC, 50 % for CT and 11.3 % for TT. Both populations are in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Odds ratio for having a child with a complex CHD was 5.9, p = 0.008 (95 % CI 1.67; 20.63) for the TT genotype. FA supplementation at any time during pregnancy was 90.3 and 87.9 % in groups II and I respectively (p > 0.05). Association was found between the maternal genotype (677/TT MTHFR) with the presence of complex CHD in their offspring. No differences in FA supplementation during any stage were found between groups.

[Annotated list of the plants of the Tortuguero National Park]. / Lista anotada de las plantas del Parque Nacional Tortuguero.

The floodplains of Tortuguero, in northeastern Costa Rica, stand as one of the richest plant-species regions in Central America. In this paper, we present the annotated check-list of vascular plants that are present within the rainforest of Tortuguero National Park (TNP), a 26 604h land that protects most of the biological diversity of these plains. Our list resulted from collections made in 2012, as well as the examination of material mantained at the Herbarium of the National Biodiversity Institute of Costa Rica, INBio (ATTA Database) and in the TROPICOS database. A total of 732 vascular plant species included in 413 genera are known to the Park. Two of these species have limited distributions and are endemic to Costa Rica: Pseuderanthemum pittieri (Acanthaceae) and Paullinia austin-smithii (Sapindaceae). Ninety species have known ethnobotanical uses. The high diversity in plant species reported here for the forest environments of Tortuguero contrasts with the low species diversity previously reported in the palm-swamps that characterize the riverine habitats within the Park.

Effect on risk of anencephaly of gene-nutrient interactions between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism and maternal folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine profile.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects on anencephaly risk of the interaction between the maternal profile of folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine and the 677C→T polymorphism in the gene encoding methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). DESIGN: Case-control study paired (1:1) on maternity clinic, date of birth and state of residence. Cases of anencephaly were identified using the Registry of the Mexican Neural Tube Defect Epidemiological Surveillance System. Case and control mothers were selected from the same maternity departments. All mothers completed a structured questionnaire and blood samples were obtained to determine the MTHFR 677C→T polymorphism and biochemical profile. SETTING: Mexico, Puebla and Guerrero states, Mexico. SUBJECTS: A total of 151 mothers of cases and controls were enrolled from March 2000 to February 2001. We had complete information on biochemical profile and MTHFR C677T polymorphism for ninety-eight mothers of cases and ninety-one mothers of controls. RESULTS: The adjusted models show that the risk of anencephaly in mothers with 677TT genotype was reduced by 18 % (OR = 0·82; 95 % CI 0·72, 0·94) for each 1 ng/ml increment in serum folate. In terms of tertiles, mothers with 677TT genotype with serum folate levels in the upper tertile (>14·1 ng/ml) had a 95 % lower risk to have a child with anencephaly than mothers with serum folate levels in the first and second tertiles (P trend = 0·012). CONCLUSIONS: Our data agree with the hypothesis of a gene-nutrient interaction between MTHFR 677C→T polymorphism and folate status. We observed a protective effect on anencephaly risk only in mothers with 677TT genotype as serum folate levels increased.

Wearable chemical sensors for biomarker discovery in the omics era.

Biomarkers are crucial biological indicators in medical diagnostics and therapy. However, the process of biomarker discovery and validation is hindered by a lack of standardized protocols for analytical studies, storage and sample collection. Wearable chemical sensors provide a real-time, non-invasive alternative to typical laboratory blood analysis, and are an effective tool for exploring novel biomarkers in alternative body fluids, such as sweat, saliva, tears and interstitial fluid. These devices may enable remote at-home personalized health monitoring and substantially reduce the healthcare costs. This Review introduces criteria, strategies and technologies involved in biomarker discovery using wearable chemical sensors. Electrochemical and optical detection techniques are discussed, along with the materials and system-level considerations for wearable chemical sensors. Lastly, this Review describes how the large sets of temporal data collected by wearable sensors, coupled with modern data analysis approaches, would open the door for discovering new biomarkers towards precision medicine.

Porous Cellulose Acetate/Block Copolymer Membranes for the Recovery of Polyphenolic Compounds from Aquatic Environments.

Polyphenols are natural compounds with strong antioxidant properties synthesized by plants and widely distributed in plant tissues. They compose a broad class of compounds that are commonly employed for multiple applications such as food, pharmaceutical, adhesives, biomedical, agricultural, and industrial purposes. Runoffs from these sources result in the introduction of polyphenols into aquatic environments where they further transform into highly toxic pollutants that can negatively affect aquatic ecosystems and humans. Therefore, the development of extraction and remediation methods for such compounds must be addressed. This study describes the identification and operation of a method to recover polyphenolic compounds from water environments by utilizing membrane-based separation. Composite membranes derived from electrospun cellulose acetate (CA) fibers and diblock copolymer (DiBCP) PEO-b-P4VP were prepared to evaluate the adsorption of polyphenolic compounds from aqueous environments. The highly porous CA fibers were developed using the electrospinning technique, and the fabricated DiBCP/CA membranes were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and tensile testing. Finally, the ability of the composite membranes to adsorb the soluble polyphenolic compounds catechol (CAT) and gallic acid (GA), from a wetland environment, was studied via batch adsorption experiments and by solid-phase extraction (SPE). Results revealed a successful recovery of both polyphenols, at concentrations within the parts per million (ppm) range, from the aqueous media. This suggests a novel approach to recover these compounds to prevent their transformation into toxic pollutants upon entrance to water environments.

Resistance of Mexican fruit fly to quarantine treatments of high-pressure processing combined with cold.

Mexican fruit fly Anastrepha ludens Loew (Diptera: Tephritidae) is one of the most important insects infesting fruits. Although high pressure has been proposed as an alternative quarantine process for this pest, conditions applied to destroy eggs and larvae can also damage the fruits. The objective of this study was to assess the biological viability of A. ludens eggs treated by high-pressure processing at 0°C, establishing whether nondestroyed eggs and larvae preserved their ability to develop and reproduce. One-, 2-, 3-, and 4-day-old eggs were pressurized at 50, 70, or 90 MPa for 0, 3, 6, or 9 min. The hatching ability of pressurized eggs and their capacity to develop larvae, pupae, and reproductive adults were evaluated. The ability of pressurized larvae to pupate was also registered. The results showed that most of the eggs that resisted the treatments were able to produce adults with capability to reproduce a new generation of A. ludens flies. Larvae were less resistant than eggs. All larvae were killed at 90 MPa for 9 min. The pressure induced the expression of heat shock proteins (HSP) in second- and third-instar larvae. The HSP showed a baroprotective effect in A. ludens larvae. These results are relevant to the industry because they show that eggs of insects infesting fruits treated by high-pressure processing were able to pupate after treatments. This indicates that efforts must be addressed to destroy all eggs because most of the surviving organisms could reach an adult stage and reproduce.

Histoplasma capsulatum Isolated from Tadarida brasiliensis Bats Captured in Mexico Form a Sister Group to North American Class 2 Clade.

Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus associated with respiratory and systemic infections in mammalian hosts that have inhaled infective mycelial propagules. A phylogenetic reconstruction of this pathogen, using partial sequences of arf, H-anti, ole1, and tub1 protein-coding genes, proposed that H. capsulatum has at least 11 phylogenetic species, highlighting a clade (BAC1) comprising three H. capsulatum isolates from infected bats captured in Mexico. Here, relationships for each individual locus and the concatenated coding regions of these genes were inferred using parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference methods. Coalescent-based analyses, a concatenated sequence-types (CSTs) network, and nucleotide diversities were also evaluated. The results suggest that six H. capsulatum isolates from the migratory bat Tadarida brasiliensis together with one isolate from a Mormoops megalophylla bat support a NAm 3 clade, replacing the formerly reported BAC1 clade. In addition, three H. capsulatum isolates from T. brasiliensis were classified as lineages. The concatenated sequence analyses and the CSTs network validate these findings, suggesting that NAm 3 is related to the North American class 2 clade and that both clades could share a recent common ancestor. Our results provide original information on the geographic distribution, genetic diversity, and host specificity of H. capsulatum.

Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor is expressed in invasive cells in gastric carcinomas from high- and low-risk countries.

Gastric cancer is the second cancer causing death worldwide. Both incidence and mortality rates vary according to geographical regions. The receptor for urokinase plasminogen activator (uPAR) is involved in extracellular matrix degradation by mediating cell surface associated plasminogen activation, and its presence on gastric cancer cells is linked to micro-metastasis and poor prognosis. Immunohistochemical analyses of a set of 44 gastric cancer lesions from Costa Rica showed expression of uPAR in cancer cells in both intestinal subtype (14 of 27) and diffuse subtype (10 of 17). We compared the expression pattern of uPAR in gastric cancers from a high-risk country (Costa Rica) with a low-risk country (Norway). We found uPAR on gastric cancer cells in 24 of 44 cases (54%) from Costa Rica and in 13 of 23 cases (56%) from Norway. uPAR was seen in macrophages and neutrophils in all cases. We also examined the nonneoplastic mucosa and found that uPAR was more frequently seen in epithelial cells located at the luminal edge of the crypts in cases with Helicobacter pylori infection than in similar epithelial cells in noninfected mucosa (p = 0.033; chi(2) = 4.54). In conclusion, the expression of uPAR in cancer cells in more than half of the gastric cancer cases suggests that their uPAR-positivity do not contribute to explain the different mortality rates between the 2 countries, however, the actual prevalence of uPAR-positive cancer cells in the gastric cancers may still provide prognostic information.

An improved quarantine method for mangoes against the Mexican fruit fly based on high-pressure processing combined with heat.

The Mexican fruit fly Anastrepha ludens Loew (Diptera: Tephritidae) is one of the most important insects infesting mangoes, citrus, and other fruits in Mexico and other Latin-American countries. Quarantine methods approved to destroy this insect decrease the shelf life of commodities. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of high-pressure processing using an initial temperature of 50 degrees C on the survivorship of eggs and larvae of the Mexican fruit fly. Eggs and larvae were pressurized at 25, 50, 75, 100, or 150 MPa for 0, 5, 10, or 20 min. The hatching ability of pressurized eggs of 1, 2, 3, and 4 days old and survivorship of the first, second, and third instars were registered. Further, the ability to pupate was studied in surviving third instars. The results showed that eggs were more resistant than larvae to the high-pressure processing. Treatments at 150 MPa at initial 50 degrees C for 10 min destroyed all eggs and larvae of A. ludens, indicating that this process might be useful as a quarantine method for infested mangoes or other fruits.

High hydrostatic pressure at low temperature as a quarantine treatment to improve the quality of fruits.

Application of high hydrostatic pressure has been proposed as an alternative quarantine process for the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens Loew (Diptera: Tephritidae), one of the most important insects infesting mangoes, citrus fruits, and other fruits in Mexico and other Latin American countries. The present study was performed to determine the effect of high pressure treatments at 0 degrees C on the survivorship of eggs and larvae of this pest. The effect of time and pressure level at near-freezing temperatures on the egg hatch and survival of larvae is discussed. Eggs and larvae were pressurized at 25, 50, 75, 100, or 150 MPa for 0, 5, 10, or 20 min at 0 degrees C. Hatch was recorded for 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-day-old pressurized eggs. For pressurized larvae (first, second, and third instars), percentage of survival was registered. Further, third instars were studied for their ability to pupate and develop to adulthood. The results showed that eggs had higher resistance than larvae to pressure. Larvae were not able to resist pressure treatments at 75 MPa for 20 min at 0 degrees C. Treatments at 150 MPa for 20 min at 0 degrees C were needed to destroy all eggs and larvae of A. ludens, indicating that this process might be useful as a quarantine method for infested fruits. However, more studies involving combination of high hydrostatic pressure at low temperature with precooling treatments are needed in order to decrease the pressure level to avoid fruit damage.

Sonothrombolysis Improves Myocardial Dynamics and Microvascular Obstruction Preventing Left Ventricular Remodeling in Patients With ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: It has recently been demonstrated that high-energy diagnostic transthoracic ultrasound and intravenous microbubbles dissolve thrombi (sonothrombolysis) and increase angiographic recanalization rates in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. We aimed to study the effect of sonothrombolysis on the myocardial dynamics and infarct size obtained by real-time myocardial perfusion echocardiography and their value in preventing left ventricular remodeling. METHODS: One hundred patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction were randomized to therapy (50 patients treated with sonothrombolysis and percutaneous coronary intervention) or control (50 patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention only). Left ventricular volumes, ejection fraction, risk area (before treatment), myocardial perfusion defect over time (infarct size), and global longitudinal strain were determined by quantitative real-time myocardial perfusion echocardiography and speckle tracking echocardiography imaging. RESULTS: Risk area was similar in the control and therapy groups (19.2±10.1% versus 20.7±8.9%; P=0.56) before treatment. The therapy group presented a behavior significantly different than control group over time (P<0.001). The perfusion defect was smaller in the therapy at 48 to 72 hours even in the subgroup of patients with no recanalization at first angiography (12.9±6.5% therapy versus 18.8±9.9% control; P=0.015). The left ventricular global longitudinal strain was higher in the therapy than control immediately after percutaneous coronary intervention (14.1±4.1% versus 12.0±3.3%; P=0.012), and this difference was maintained until 6 months (17.1±3.5% versus 13.6±3.6%; P<0.001). The only predictor of left ventricular remodeling was treatment with sonothrombolysis: the control group was more likely to exhibit left ventricular remodeling with an odds ratio of 2.79 ([95% CI, 0.13-6.86]; P=0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Sonothrombolysis reduces microvascular obstruction and improves myocardial dynamics in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction and is an independent predictor of left ventricular remodeling over time.

[School bullying and violence in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country]. / Acoso y violencia escolar en la comunidad autónoma del País Vasco.

School bullying and violence in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country. This study explores some characteristics of school bullying in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, using descriptive methodology. The sample comprises 5,983 participants from ages 10 to 16 years, distributed in 169 schools, to whom the Defensor del Pueblo School Violence Questionnaire was administered. The results reveal that: 1) the great majority of the students feel well treated by their teachers and a percentage of teachers (5.3%-12.2%) are mistreated by the students; 2) between 3% and 4.5% of the students are quite often afraid to go to school; 3) most of the victims from Primary Education talk about their problems with their families and those from Secondary Education, with their friends; 4) witnesses intervene to stop a bullying situation when the victim is their friend, and the aggressors perceive that many classmates encourage them, help them, or do not do anything; and 5) some Primary students think that the teachers punish the aggressors, whereas in Secondary Education, they perceive that the teachers are inhibited by this situation. The results suggest the need for strategies to identify school bullying and for psychoeducational intervention.

Sonothrombolysis in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated With Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Preclinical studies have demonstrated that high mechanical index (MI) impulses from a diagnostic ultrasound transducer during an intravenous microbubble infusion (sonothrombolysis) can restore epicardial and microvascular flow in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). OBJECTIVES: This study tested the clinical effectiveness of sonothrombolysis in patients with STEMI. METHODS: Patients with their first STEMI were prospectively randomized to either diagnostic ultrasound-guided high MI impulses during an intravenous Definity (Lantheus Medical Imaging, North Billerica, Massachusetts) infusion before, and following, emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or to a control group that received PCI only (n = 50 in each group). A reference first STEMI group (n = 203) who arrived outside the randomization window was also analyzed. Angiographic recanalization before PCI, ST-segment resolution, infarct size by magnetic resonance imaging, and systolic function (LVEF) at 6 months were compared. RESULTS: ST-segment resolution occurred in 16 (32%) high MI PCI versus 2 (4%) PCI-only patients before PCI, and angiographic recanalization was 48% in high MI/PCI versus 20% in PCI only and 21% in the reference group (p < 0.001). Infarct size was reduced (29 ± 22 g high MI/PCI vs. 40 ± 20 g PCI only; p = 0.026). LVEF was not different between groups before treatment (44 ± 11% vs. 43 ± 10%), but increased immediately after PCI in the high MI/PCI group (p = 0.03), and remained higher at 6 months (p = 0.015). Need for implantable defibrillator (LVEF ≤30%) was reduced in the high MI/PCI group (5% vs. 18% PCI only; p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Sonothrombolysis added to PCI improves recanalization rates and reduces infarct size, resulting in sustained improvements in systolic function after STEMI. (Therapeutic Use of Ultrasound in Acute Coronary Artery Disease; NCT02410330).

Relation of atrophic gastritis with Helicobacter pylori-CagA(+) and interleukin-1 gene polymorphisms.

AIM: To determine the association of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) CagA(+) infection and pro-inflammatory polymorphisms of the genes interleukin (IL)-1RN and IL-1B with the risk of gastric atrophy and peptic ulcers in a dyspeptic population in Costa Rica, a country with high incidence and mortality of gastric cancer. METHODS: Seven biopsy specimens, a fasting blood sample and a questionnaire concerning nutritional and sociodemographic factors were obtained from 501 consecutive patients who had undergone endoscopy for dyspeptic symptoms. A histopathological diagnosis was made. Pepsinogen concentrations were analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Infection with H pylori CagA(+) was determined by serology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). IL-1B and IL-1RN polymorphisms genotyping was performed by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and PCR respectively. RESULTS: In this dyspeptic population, 86% were H pylori positive and of these, 67.8% were positive for CagA. Atrophic antral gastritis (AAG) was associated with CagA(+) status [odd ratio (OR) = 4.1; P < 0.000] and fruit consumption (OR = 0.3; P < 0.00). Atrophic body gastritis (ABG) was associated with pepsinogen PGI/PGII < 3.4 (OR = 4.9; P < 0.04) and alcohol consumption (OR = 7.3; P < 0.02). Duodenal ulcer was associated with CagA(+) (OR = 2.9; P < 0.04) and smoking (OR = 2.4; P < 0.04). PGI < 60 microg/L as well as PGI/PGII < 3.4 were associated with CagA(+). CONCLUSION: In a dyspeptic population in Costa Rica, H pylori CagA(+) is not associated with ABG, but it is a risk factor for AAG. The pro-inflammatory cytokine polymorphisms IL-1B + 3945 and IL-1RN are not associated with the atrophic lesions of this dyspeptic population.

Nutrition provided to Mexican-American preschool children on the Texas-Mexico border.

The purpose of this study was to assess whether nutrients offered to border Mexican-American preschool children met the Recommended Dietary Allowances. Nutrient contents of two dietary patterns were examined in this study, one composed exclusively of home foods and one containing a combination of both home and school foods. The sample consisted of 198 Mexican-American preschoolers living on the Texas-Mexico border, who were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. A self-administered, precoded 24-hour recall questionnaire was used. Nutrient values of home foods were collected during a weekend day, and nutrient values containing a combination of both home and school foods were collected during a weekday. Fisher's exact test or chi2 test and t test were used for analyses. Mean nutrient contents of foods provided to the border Mexican-American children exceeded recommendations for total energy (P<0.001), total fat (P<0.001), saturated fat (P<0.001), carbohydrates (P<0.001), protein (P<0.001), sodium (P<0.001), and niacin (P<0.001). Foods offered were also significantly insufficient in fiber (P<0.001), vitamin A (P<0.001), and potassium (P<0.001). Nutrition interventions targeting low-income border Mexican-American families should emphasize the need and importance of providing children with diets that meet the Recommended Dietary Allowances.