Analysis of interrater reliability in age assessment of minors: how does expertise influence the evaluation?

Nowadays, the clinical forensic medical management of migration flows comprises the age assessment of unaccompanied minors. The process of age estimation is a fundamental pillar for legally ensuring the minors' rights and their protection needs. The procedure is complex and involves different phases and actors, from medical doctors to law enforcement officers. The present study aimed to investigate the performance of Greulich and Pyle, Demirjian, and Mincer methods when performed by raters both trained and without training. Also, the interrater reliability within groups of raters from different areas of expertise was evaluated. A total of 36 participants were enrolled for this study, divided in two groups according to their level of experience with age estimation methods. Each rater was asked to allocate stages and standards for age assessment, evaluating ten orthopantomograms and ten hand-wrist roentgenograms. The interrater reliability expressed through the Fleiss Kappa coefficient and the agreement with the reference standard were calculated. The results showed that none of the categories analyzed could reach a good interrater reliability (ĸ > 0.8) for both methods. The study results highlighted variation and disagreement in the interpretation of the sample among raters and in the subsequent stages and standards allocation. In conclusion, the results of this study highlight that expertise does influence the reliability of the most utilized methods of age estimation of living individuals and stress the importance of proper training and practice, which could greatly increase the accuracy of age assessments.

Twenty-five years of unidentified bodies: an account from Milano, Italy.

The identification of decedents has always been a central issue in forensic pathology, for ethical, criminal, and administrative reasons, but today, it needs more attention due to issues related not only to migration but also to the weakening of family ties. This article presents a descriptive study discussing the Italian regulatory situation developed in the last decade to face the many identification issues, with all its improvements and flaws. Hence, data gathered in 25 years of at the Institute of Legal Medicine of Milan and the epidemiology of unidentified decedents are illustrated. Briefly, from 1995 to 2019, the number of unidentified human remains with no identity or requesting verification of identity amounts to 726, i.e., 3% circa of all autopsies performed at the Institute, with an average of 29 individuals per year. In total, 528 (72.7%) individuals were successfully identified, 100 (13.8%) remained without an identity, and 98 (13.5%) individuals remained with suspected yet unconfirmed identities. Percentages for each identification technique are displayed, with insight into the role of forensic anthropology and odontology compared to genetics, and into the misuse of non-scientific methods allowed by Public Prosecutors. All the data is compared, as much as possible, with the very few recent studies concerning the problem worldwide. Finally, the article aims to show the Italian experience in dealing with unidentified bodies, in order to provide food for thought for other countries toward a discussion regarding a global issue which is sometimes taken for granted and underestimated.

Toxicological analysis in victims of sexual and domestic violence: A retrospective study of a 3-year period (2018-2020).

This manuscript presents an epidemiological investigation carried out on abuse victims who accessed the Sexual and Domestic Violence Service (SVS&D) of IRCCS Ca' Granda in Milan, Italy. The focal point of this research was the detection of alcohol, prescription medications, and illicit substances in victims who solicited help from the SVS&D center between 2018 and 2020. Over this three-year span, biological samples of blood and urine were procured from 207 victims, out of a patient pool of 2470. All collected samples were analyzed via High Performance Liquid Chromatography - Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) and Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Toxicological examination results demonstrated that 43% of the cases tested positive for substances in 2018, 39% in 2019 and 60% of the cases in 2020. Overall, 45% of the victims tested resulted positive to some substance over a 3-year period, equivalent to 3.6% of the overall cases (2470 victims). Substances of toxicological interest were detected in 104 samples (out of 377, corresponding to 27.6%) belonging to 94 patients. The most detected classes of drugs were stimulants, antidepressants, benzodiazepines and antipsychotics. Moreover, BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) indicated positivity in 25 cases (out of 184 cases analyzed - 14% of positive cases). Based on this study's findings, we recommend broadening the range of substances evaluated in drug-facilitated sexual assaults and establishing standardized protocols for both national and international implementation. Implementing procedures would significantly enhance forensic support provided to victims of abuse seeking healthcare services post-incident.

Older adult abuse in a service for sexual and domestic violence: Medico-legal implications from the experience of an Italian center.

Older adults are subject to vulnerability and abusive behaviors have serious negative health consequences. Since the phenomenon is underestimated, several challenges are faced to prevent, diagnose, and treat abuses on older adults. In this context, clinical forensic medicine practitioners can play a pivotal role. A retrospective monocentric analysis of all the files concerning victims of violence observed in the SVSeD Center in Milan over the age of 65 for a five-year period was performed. For each medical report, data regarding the variables of the victims, the type of violence, and the variables of the perpetrators were analysed. Older adult victims of abuses were 166. Abuses against women were more frequent than against men (less than 6 % of consultations). In one third of cases, subjects also suffered from disabling diseases and reported signs of physical violence. Perpetrators were male known individuals in almost 90 % of cases. Violence was perpetrated by a partner or a family member. The present study may help in identifying risk factors for domestic violence against older adults. Consequently, preventive policies should be designed to interrupt the vicious circle of violence. Older adult abuse deserves additional focus and better education for healthcare professionals and further research should be carried out to better understand the actual epidemiology of the phenomenon and to develop therapeutical and caring strategies.

Chemical composition and nutritional value of unripe banana flour (Musa acuminata, var. Nanicão).

Banana flour obtained from unripe banana (Musa acuminata, var. Nanicão) under specific drying conditions was evaluated regarding its chemical composition and nutritional value. Results are expressed in dry weight (dw). The unripe banana flour (UBF) presented a high amount of total dietary fiber (DF) (56.24 g/100 g), which consisted of resistant starch (RS) (48.99 g/100 g), fructans (0.05 g/100 g) and DF without RS or fructans (7.2 g/100 g). The contents of available starch (AS) (27.78 g/100 g) and soluble sugars (1.81 g/100 g) were low. The main phytosterols found were campesterol (4.1 mg/100 g), stigmasterol (2.5 mg/100 g) and ß-sitosterol (6.2 mg/100 g). The total polyphenol content was 50.65 mg GAE/100 g. Antioxidant activity, by the FRAP and ORAC methods, was moderated, being 358.67 and 261.00 µmol of Trolox equivalent/100 g, respectively. The content of Zn, Ca and Fe and mineral dialyzability were low. The procedure used to obtain UBF resulted in the recovery of undamaged starch granules and in a low-energy product (597 kJ/100 g).

Sexual assault and abuse committed against family members: An analysis of 1342 legal outcomes and their motivations.

BACKGROUND: Over the past years medical centres specifically addressed in gender-based violence have developed protocols for the collections of evidence useful in the courtroom, including accurate documentation of physical and psychological states of the victim and collection of samples. Previous studies showed an association between documented physical trauma and conviction but unfortunately, few studies in the recent literature analysed the factors that influence the legal outcome and final judgement. The present study focused on the elements that appeared of significance in the legal outcome, including medico-legal evaluation, source of the crime report and circumstance of the assault. METHODS: It was conducted a retrospective analysis of all the judgments issued by the Public Prosecutor's Office at a Court of a Metropolitan Italian city regarding sexual and domestic violence, from January 1st 2011 to 31st December 31st 2015. Examination regarded the demographic information of the victim and of the defendant, information on the crime, the circumstances of the aggression and medical information retrieved. Sentences were subsequently divided into two categories based on the legal outcome (conviction vs acquittal) and the different characteristics of the two sub-populations were compared to verify if there were variables significantly associated to the judge's final judgment. RESULTS: Over the 5 years taken into consideration, there have been 1342 verdicts regarding crimes of sexual violence (374 cases) and regarding abuses against family members or cohabitants (875): other 93 cases regarded both sexual violence and abuse. 66.3% ended in conviction of the offender and 33.7% in acquittal of the accused. Cases of conviction were more frequent when they involved: use of a weapon by the assailant, as well as if the assailant had a criminal record and had a history of drug abuse or other addictions; duration of proceeding less 22 months and a civil party involved; presence of clinical documentation together with other deposition in addition to victim's deposition; also frequent episodes of violence and application of precautionary measures were associated to conviction. CONCLUSIONS: Many factors seem able to influence the judge's judgment, although clearly each case must be singularly evaluated. The mere presence of medical documentation, without the support of other sources of evidence, such as the victim's statement or further declarations, however, is almost always not definitive for the verdict. Despite so, in cases where there are multiple sources of evidence, clinical documentation can provide useful elements and can give clues on the consistency between the history told and injuries observed.

Tobacco smoking in urban neighborhoods: exploring social capital as a protective factor in Santiago, Chile.

INTRODUCTION: Research examining the relationship between social capital and health in Latin America has been limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between social capital and tobacco use in four low-income neighborhoods in Santiago, Chile. METHODS: A multistage probability sample was used to select households in 4 of the 10 poorest neighborhoods in the district of Puente Alto, in Santiago, Chile. A cross-sectional survey of 781 participants (81.2% response rate for households) included sociodemographic variables, questions pertaining to neighborhood social capital, and questions pertaining to tobacco. Main analyses were carried out at the individual level by performing a multiple logistic regression of individual tobacco use on individual perceptions of community social capital. RESULTS: The prevalence of smoking was 43.9% of the surveyed population. A five-factor structure for social capital was identified, including "perceived trust in neighbors," "perceived trust in organizations," "reciprocity within the neighborhood," "neighborhood integration," and "social participation." An inverse relationship between trust in neighbors and tobacco smoking was statistically significantly with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.91-0.99). Trust in neighbors was also significantly inversely associated with the number of cigarettes smoked. DISCUSSION: Tobacco control remains a significant challenge in global health, requiring innovative strategies that address changing social contexts as well as the changing epidemiological profile of developing regions.

[Prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia among women over fifty years of age, from the city of Durango, Mexico, diagnosed by forearm-DEXA]. / Prevalencia de osteoporosis y osteopenia en mujeres oriundas de la ciudad de Durango, México, de 50 y más años de edad diagnosticadas por DEXA en antebrazo.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of osteopenia and osteporosis using distal forearm dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry among a random sample of women of 50 years or older living in the city of Durango, Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 258 women participated in a cross-sectional study fielded at the Osteoporosis Clinic of Durango. Bone mineral density was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Scanning was performed on the distal third of the dominant forearm. Diagnosis of osteopenia and osteoporosis was based on the WHO criteria. RESULTS: Osteoporosis was diagnosed in 13.65% (95%CI: 9.6-18.5) and osteopenia in 30.12% (95% CI: 24.5-36.2) of participants. Mean age, weight, height and body mass index were 65 years, 60.5 kg, 147.8 cm and 28.3 kg/m2 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Osteoporosis and osteopenia were a common diagnosis given the mean age of our sample. These results can be extrapolated to the general population thereby suggesting the need for preventive measures to decrease disease prevalence, especially considering the increase in life expectancy.

Primer consenso chileno de nutricionistas en cirugía bariátrica / First consensus of Chilean nutritionists on bariatric surgery

RESUMEN La cirugía bariátrica (CB) ha demostrado ser una alternativa segura y eficaz para la resolución de la obesidad y sus comorbilidades. Parte del éxito de la CB, radica en el manejo nutricional del paciente, para lo que se requiere de un equipo médico-nutricional, entrenado en nutrición bariátrica, con el objetivo de evitar déficit nutricional y modificar hábitos a largo plazo. En la actualidad, no existe en Chile un consenso sobre el protocolo de manejo nutricional pre y post CB. El objetivo del 1er Consenso Chileno de Nutricionistas en Cirugía Bariátrica, es ser una guía para los nutricionistas que asisten a pacientes bariátricos. Este documento resume el trabajo realizado por los Nutricionistas de Sociedad Chilena de Cirugía Bariátrica y Metabólica (SCCBM), quienes durante 5 años trabajaron en reuniones presenciales y comisiones de estudio, revisando evidencias científicas, guías de tratamiento y recomendaciones de expertos, que fundamentarán las recomendaciones alimentario nutricional para cada tema. El resultado es un documento que homologa criterios para el manejo nutricional de pacientes bariátricos y genera los tópicos mínimos para asegurar la atención nutricional de calidad en los equipos bariátricos chilenos.

ABSTRACT Bariatric surgery (BS) has proven to be a safe and effective alternative for the resolution of obesity and its comorbidities. Part of the success of BS lies in the nutritional management of the patient, for which a medical-nutritional team, trained in bariatric nutrition, is required with the aim of modifying long-term habits and avoiding nutritional deficit. At present, there is no consensus in Chile on the pre-and post-BS nutritional management protocol. The objective of the 1st Consensus of Chilean Nutritionists on Bariatric Surgery is to be a guide for nutritionists who assist bariatric patients. This document summarizes the work done by Nutritionists of the Chilean Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery (SCCBM), who, during 5 years, worked in face-to-face meetings and study commissions, reviewing scientific evidence, treatment guides and expert recommendations, which will support nutritional nutrition recommendations for each topic. The result is a document that standardizes criteria for the nutritional management of bariatric patients and generates the minimum topics to ensure quality nutritional care for Chilean bariatric teams.

Digestion rate of legume carbohydrates and glycemic index of legume-based meals.

A study was performed to examine the rate of digestion of available carbohydrate in legumes and its mixtures with cereals, prepared as commonly eaten. The legumes and cereals studied were lentil (Lens sculenta), pea (Pisum sativum), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris, var tortola), rice (Oryza sativa) and spaghetti. Foods were purchased at the city market. Total starch content and the carbohydrate digestion rates were determined using the enzymatic method proposed by Englyst et al. Total starch levels ranged from 7.78 g/100 g in cooked flour bean to 20.6 g/100 g in a bean-spaghetti dish, and dietary fiber contents ranged from 2.4 g/100 g in a cooked 70:30 lentil-rice mixture to 5.26 g/100 g in a cooked whole bean. The rapid digestion rate carbohydrates showed values from 4.8 in the bean soup to 8.9 in the bean-spaghetti combination. The same results show, expressed as rapid available glucose (RAG), the amount of rapid carbohydrate/100 g food or meal as eaten, and as the starch digestion index (SDI), the percentage of rapid carbohydrate digestion rate in relation to the total amount of carbohydrate. The RAG values ranged between 5.0 for cooked beans and 10 for cooked beans and spaghetti, and the SDI ranged between 40 for cooked pea flour and 62 for cooked bean flour. Legumes prepared as soup showed a higher rapid digestion rate than legumes prepared as whole grain. The bean-spaghetti based-meal and the lentil-based meal showed glycemic index mean and standard deviation values of 76.8 +/- 43.4 and 49.3 +/- 29.5, RAG values of 7.0 and 6.0, and SDI values of 57 and 54, respectively. The knowledge of the importance of the carbohydrate digestion rates in human health in increasing, and probably will soon be used in the development of the food pyramid. The foods with a moderate fraction of rapid digestion rate, such as legumes, should be included in the base of the pyramid.

Prevalencia de osteoporosis y osteopenia en mujeres oriundas de la ciudad de Durango, México, de 50 y más años de edad diagnosticadas por DEXA en antebrazo / Prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia among women over fifty years of age, from the city of Durango, Mexico, diagnosed by forearm-DEXA

Objetivo: Conocer la prevalencia de osteopenia y osteoporosis medida por absorciometría dual de rayos X en antebrazo en una muestra poblacional de mujeres de 50 y más años de edad oriundas de la ciudad de Durango, México. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal, donde participaron 258 mujeres de 50 y más años de edad, seleccionadas de forma aleatoria en la zona urbana de la ciudad de Durango, Durango, México, en quienes se evaluó la densidad mineral ósea por absorciometría dual de rayos X en el tercio distal del antebrazo dominante. Resultados: En la muestra poblacional estudiada se encontró osteoporosis en 13.65% (IC 95% 9.6-18.5) y osteopenia en 30.12% (IC 95% 24.5-36.2). El criterio para establecer dichos diagnósticos se basó en la clasificación de acuerdo con los criterios de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. En relación con las características de las mujeres con osteoporosis incluidas en el estudio, el promedio de edad, peso, talla e índice de masa corporal fue de 65 años, 60.5 kg, 147.8 cm y 28.3 kg/m2, respectivamente. Conclusiones: La osteoporosis y la osteopenia en la muestra estudiada guardan una prevalencia relativamente alta en relación directa con la edad. Lo anterior extrapolado a la población sugiere la necesidad de adoptar medidas preventivas que abatan el problema, considerando particularmente el aumento en la expectativa de vida.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of osteopenia and osteporosis using distal forearm dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry among a random sample of women of 50 years or older living in the city of Durango, Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 258 women participated in a cross-sectional study fielded at the Osteoporosis Clinic of Durango. Bone mineral density was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Scanning was performed on the distal third of the dominant forearm. Diagnosis of osteopenia and osteoporosis was based on the WHO criteria. RESULTS: Osteoporosis was diagnosed in 13.65% (95%CI: 9.6-18.5) and osteopenia in 30.12% (95% CI: 24.5-36.2) of participants. Mean age, weight, height and body mass index were 65 years, 60.5 kg, 147.8 cm and 28.3 kg/m2 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Osteoporosis and osteopenia were a common diagnosis given the mean age of our sample. These results can be extrapolated to the general population thereby suggesting the need for preventive measures to decrease disease prevalence, especially considering the increase in life expectancy.

Estimativa do consumo de EDTA em escolares / assessment of EDTA intake in schoolchildren

O EDTA é utilizado como aditivo em diferentes alimentos. Atualmente não existe informação sobre o consumo de EDTA em populações de diferentes países da América Latina. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar de forma descritiva o consumo de EDTA em escolares brasileiros, chilenos e mexicanos. Um total de 677 crianças (355 brasileiros, 204 mexicanos e 118 chilenos) entre 6 e 13 anos de idade, de escolas privadas, participaram do estudo. A ingestão do aditivo foi avaliada no Brasil e no Chile através de um recordatório de 24 horas e no México utilizando um questionário de freqüência alimentar. No Brasil, a principal fonte de EDTA foi a margarina (30 por cento), seguida da maionese (24 por cento) e molhos para saladas (23 por cento)...

Valor nutritivo de mariscos consumidor en Chile / Nutritive value of shellfishes consumed in Chile

El propósito del trabajo aquí descrito fue determinar la calidad y digestibilidad biológica de la proteína de los mariscos de mayor consumo en Chile, y estimar su aporte a la satisfacción de las necesidades de proteínas de la población. Los mariscos incluidos en el estudio fueron: chorito (Mytilus edulis chilensis), macha (Mesodesma donacium), loco (Concholepas concholepas), cholga (Aulacomya ater), erizo (Loxechinus albus) y almeja (sin especificar variedad). La calidad proteínica se determinó según el método de utilización proteínica neta (NPU). Se calculó el porcentaje de adecuación de la proteína de consumo habitual para el adulto, según FAO/OMS 1973. Se estimó, asimismo, la contribución de los mariscos en cuanto a la disponibilidad de proteína de la población del Gran Santiago, según el presupuesto familiar. La mayoria parte de los mariscos acusó valores de NUP cercanos a 70, cifras inferiores se encontraron en el loco (54.9) y macha (63.5). La digestibilidad aparente y verdadera dio un promedio de 83.6 y 90.4, respectivamente. El porcentaje de cobertura de la proteína de las raciones habituales fluctuó de 27% en el erizo a 58% en el loco. En relación a la proteína total disponible la proteína derivada de los mariscos ascendió al incrementar el presupuesto, de 0.4 a 3.3%. Se concluye que, en general, la proteína de los mariscos analizados es de buena calidad. Sin embargo, deben considerarse de poca influencia en lo que atañe a satisfacer las necesidades proteínicas de la población estudiada, cualquiera que sea su nivel socioeconómico

Evaluación del cómputo aminoacídica corregido por digestibilidad para estimar la calidad proteínica y la proteína utilizable de alimentos y dietas / Evaluation of the adjusted aminoacid score by digestibility to estimate the protein quality and the protein available in foods and diets

El trabajo aquí descrito tuvo como propósito evaluar el método del cómputo aminoacído corregido por digestibilidad para estimar la calidad proteínica y la proteína utilizable de alimentos y dietas, tomando como referencia el método biológico de la utilización proteínica neta (NPU). Se relacionaron 10 alimentos de origem vegetal, 10 de origen animal y ocho mezclas de éstos. Al considerar todos los alimentos, se obtuvo una correlación positiva (r = 0.83) y altamente significativa (P <0.001) entre la NPU y el cómputo amiaminoacído corregido por la digestibilidad. Al separar los alimentos según su origen, la correlación fue positiva (r = 0.93) y significativa (P <0.001) sólo en los vegetales. A su vez sólo en los alimentos vegetales se encontró concordancia entre los valores de NPU y cómputo amiaminoacído corregido por digestibilidad, así como en la proteína utilizable estimada considerando la NPU y el cómputo amiaminoacído corregido por digestibilidad. Se sugiere interpretar con cautela los valores de calidad y proteína utilizable de alimentos de origen animal y mezclas de vegetal y animal, cuando se utiliza en forma indistinta el método del cómputo amiaminoacído corregido por digestibilidad, o la NPU

Calidad nutricional de la dieta con respecto a zinc y su relación con la ingesta diaria en preescolares chilenos / Nutritional quality of the diet in relation to zinc and its relationship with daily intake in Chilean preschool children

Con el propósito de conocer el aporte dietético de zinc y evaluar la calidad nutricional de la dieta respecto a este micronutriente, se estudió la ingesta de alimentos por tiempo de comida en 30 preescolares durante 180 días. El contenido de zinc en 20 preparaciones más frecuentemente consumidas al almuerzo y/o cena fue de 0,24 a 0,95 mg/100 g. con un promedio de 0,51 mg/100 g., observándose un valor significativamente mayor en aquellas que contenían productos cárneos. En 17 días, seleccionados al azar, se estudió la ingesta de zinc por tiempo de comida, es así que al desayuno, almuerzo, once y cena la ingesta fue de 1,30, 1,80, 1,05 y 1,47 mg. respectivamente, resultando una ingesta total de 5,62 mg/día lo cual representa el 56% de la recomendación del National Research Council. El análisis de la calidad de la dieta realizado a través del método de cómputo de nutrientes demostró que la dieta consumida por este grupo posee un bajo cómputo de zinc el que sólo alcanza al 50,9% del cómputo ideal expresado por 1000 kcal, esto significa que si la dieta cubre el requerimiento de energía, en forma simultánea sólo cubre la mitad de las recomendaciones de zinc

Consumo de leguminosas en preescolares: efecto de la densidad energética y tipo de preparación / Legumes consumption in preschool children: effect of energy density and type of preparation

El objeto de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la densidad energética (D.E.), la edad y el tipo de preparación, sobre el consumo de guisos de leguminosa-cereal y sopas de leguminosas en preescolares, con el propósito de determinar si tales preparaciones son adecuadas para su alimentación. Treinta niños de 2 a 5 años de edad, que vivían en un hogar de menores, fueron divididos en tres grupos experimentales de 10 niños cada uno. A todos los grupos se les ofreció 29 preparaciones que diferían en su densidad energética: 0.85, 0.94 y 1.03 kcal/g en los guisos, y 0.47, 0.62 y 0.80 kcal/g en las sopas. El estudio se desarrolló durante 29 días no consecutivos a través de un período total de 180 días. El consumo de alimentos fue determinado en cada niño por pesada diferencial. Tanto el consumo como el aporte energético de los guisos fue significativamente mayor que el de las sopas (312 vs 223 g y 288 vs 138 kcal, respectivamente). El efecto de la edad sólo se verificó en el volumen y la energía ingerida, al expresarse por kg de peso, siendo el grupo de mayor edad, el que tuvo una menor ingesta de la preparación y de energía, en guisos así como en sopas. La relación entre el consumo de los guisos y la D.E. fue inversa y significativa. Los guisos de leguminosa-cereal fueron consumidos por los preescolares en cantidades suficientes para satisfacer sus demandas energéticas en un tiempo de comida, cuando estas preparaciones aportaban 1.03 kcal/g (3% de adición de aceite). La baja D.E. de las...

Efecto del aumento de los ácidos grasos poliinsaturados (Omega 6) dietéticos en el contenido de glutatión hepático y actividad de gama glutamil transpeptidasa en riñón de ratas / Effect of increase of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega 6) on the hepatic glutathione content and gamma-glutamil transpeptidase activity in kidney of rats

Se estudió el efecto de la alimentación de ratas macho, cepa Wistar, desde los 24 a los 52 días de edad, con dietas de frijol deficientes en aminoácidos azufrados o suplementados con 0.3% DL-metionina y con dos concentraciones de aceite de maíz, 2% y 20% (g/Kg dieta), sobre el contenido de glutatión en hígado (GSH) y sobre la actividad de gama glutamil transpeptidasa renal (GGTP) (E.C.2.3.2.2.). Los resultados indicaron que las ratas alimentadas con la dieta de frijol con 2% de aceite de maíz, disminuyeron significativamente el contenido de GSH hepático y la actividad de GGTP renal. La suplementación con 0.3% de metionina y/o el incremento al 20% del aceite de maíz en la dieta, estimularon significativamente el contenido de GSH hepático y la actividad transpeptidásica en el riñon. Se postula que el aumento de los ácidos grasos poliinsaturados estimuló la actividad de GGTP vcomo una manera de aumentar la biodisponibilidad de sustratos para síntese de novo de GSH hepático, necesário para la protecciójn de la formación de hidroperóxidos atribuido al incremento de los ácidos grasos poliinsaturados a nivel celular

Indice de calidad nutricional por volumen (ICNV): un nuevo indicador para evaluar la calidad nutricional de preparaciones y dietas / Index of nutritional quality per volume: a new indicator to evaluate the nutritional quality of food preparations and diets

El objetivo de este trabajo fue proponer un nuevo índice dietético para evaluar la calidad nutricional de preparaciones y dietas: el índice de calidad nutricional por volumen (ICNV). El indicador en referencia considera en su expresión la densidad de nutrientes por volumen (cantidad de nutriente/1,000 g de dieta) y la densidad del nutriente por volumen de referencia. Esta última se determina dividiendo los requerimientos del nutriente por el volumen que es posible consumir durante el día, cuando la dieta es ofrecida libremente. En el análisis se estudió el zinc como ejemplo de un nutriente. Se investigó un total de 14 preparaciones de consumo habitual en Chile, en relación a su ingesta por parte de 30 preescolares de consumo habitual en Chile, en relación a su ingesta por parte de 30 preescolares. El volumen que los niños son capaces de consumir se determinó por pesada diferencial entre lo ofrecido y lo que deja el niño en el plato, durante un período de 180 días. El porcentaje de humedad y el valor energético se establecieron por medio de análisis químico según la AOAC, y la concentración de zinc, por espectrofotometría de absorción atómica. Luego, los resultados del ICNV fueron comparados con los del índice de calidad nutricional (ICN), el que considera la densidad de zinc por 1,000 kcal y los requerimientos de zinc y de energía. Los resultados del análisis demostraron que los valores del ICNV eran menores que los del ICN en el caso de aquellas preparaciones con densidades...

Calidad nutricional de la proteína de la falsa lenteja (Vicia sativa ssp. abovata (Ser) Gaudin) / Nutritional quality of the protein of the false lentil (Vicia sativa ssp. abovata (Ser) Gaudin)

La falsa lenteja (Vicia sativa) es una leguminosa que se desarrolla en forma rústica en la zona central de Chile. Es consumida por la población rural, como lenteja, y también se utiliza en la alimentación animal. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue estudiar su valor nutricional con énfasis en la calidad biológica, digestibilidad de la proteína y características de su fibras dietética. Se estudiaron semillas proporcionadas por el Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA), en las que se determinó la composición química, fibra dietética, calidad biológica de la proteína mediante el PER, y digestibilidad aparente y verdadera. Destacó la alta concentración de proteína )23.5%), superior a las legunosas de consumo habitual. El porcentaje de fibra dietética es de 14.2%, con 13.2% de fibra insolubre y 1.0% de la soluble. El PER mostró valores de 1.30 ñ 0.44 para el material crudo y de 1.32 ñ 0.37 en el cocido, la suplementación con 0.15% de DL - metionina produjo un incremento a 2.43 ñ 0.32, siendo el valor de la caseína de 3.02 ñ 0.36. la digestibilidad verdadera fue de 76.2 ñ 2.0 en el material crudo y de 73.8 ñ 2.2 en el cocido. Estos resultados demuestran que la falsa lenteja no presenta tóxicos termolábiles que son frecuentes en las leguminosas. Sin embargo, se ha descrito la presencia de derivados de la cianoalanina, que tienen un efecto neurotóxico. El presente estudio sugiere que la falsa lenteja es un alimento con características nutricionales promisoras. En consecuencia, es pues imprescindible profundizar los estudios tendientes a dilucidar la toxicidad real de este alimento