Risk factors for growth retardation in children of low economic and social level in São Paulo, Brazil

Aiming to analyze the mild to moderate growth retardation associate factors in children at school age, a case control study was conducted with 153 pairs of seven and eight years old children from public schools of the outskirts of the city. The cases were defined as children with a height for age(H/A) between -1 and -2 Z score, according to NCHS/WHO standards, and matched with a H/A +/- 0.5 Z-score children of same age, gender, school, classroom and class time, as controls. The height was measured at school according to WHO rules by trained professionals, and household visits were carried out to obtain environmental and socio-economic data. Initially the data was analyzed by the univariate conditional method and then, the statistically significant variables were included in a model of multivariate logistic regression analysis. As a result, the risk factors remaining at the end of the multivariate analyses, by Odds Ratio and it's 95% Confidence Interval were respectively:--mother's height: for each decrease of one standard deviation the OR increased 1.84(CI: 1.35 to 2.49); inadequate feeding pattern: OR = 2.12; CI: 1.17 to 3.83, very low socio-economic level: OR = 9.2; CI: 3.35 to 25.13, low birth weight: OR = 2.59; CI: 1.44 to 4.63 and smoking during pregnancy: OR = 1.75; CI: 0.98 to 3.12. These results highlight the environment as a determinant factor for growth performance during the first years of the child's life. Despite this, the significant OR for Mother's height allows the assumption that besides the environment, the parent's height has to be considered as one of the determinants of height deficit, even for the low socioeconomic level.     

Treatment of severe malnourished children with WHO protocol: experience of a referral center in São Paulo, Brazil

Mortality rate, anthropometric development and nutritional therapy with the use of World Health Organization guidelines (WHO) were assessed. In a cross-sectional retrospective study 191 hospitalized malnourished children were assessed. To classify and evaluate nutritional rehabilitation Z-score was used: weight-for-age (ZW), height-for-age(ZH) and weight-for-height(ZWH). The children were divided in three groups (G): GI (primary malnutrition--30,9%), GII (secondary malnutrition--51,7%) and GIII (children who were admitted as GI but during internation had an identified chronic disease--12%). Nutritional therapy used was based on WHO guidelines, with slight modifications. The formulas chosen were all industrialized: lactose-free polymeric formula (PLF) for children with diarrhea, low lactose polymeric formula (PLL) for children without diarrhea and cow's milk hydrolysate (H) for sepsis or chronic diarrhea. In the rehabilitation phase, all the children used PLL formula. Statistical analysis: Student's, chi-square tests, simple linear regression. The median age and mortality rate were 10,3 months and 4,2%, respectively. The GI and GII children were older than GIII (11vs12vs7months,p=0,02) and had shorter length of stay (20vs22vs37days,p=0,010). Mortality risks in GIII were twice as frequent as in GI+GII. Pneumonia, diarrhea and poor weight gain were the main diagnosis at admission. Tubes were used more frequently in GII+GIII than GI (p=0,004). Parenteral nutrition was indicated in 5,7% of children, more often in GIII than GI+GII (p=0,037). Tolerance of the initial formula wasn't satisfactory in 20% of the children. An improvement of 87% ZWH, 74,1% ZW and 22% was observed. ZW in GI and ZWH in GIII were the indices that showed the most effective gain during hospital stay. The modified WHO guidelines were effective in the multiprofessional treatment of malnourished children, resulting in good nutritional rehabilitation with low mortality rates. A high percentage of children admitted as primary malnutrition who had a chronic disease diagnosed was observed. The late diagnosis may be responsible for the high length of stay, formula intolerance and mortality risk.     

Beliefs on vitamin and consumption of vitamin supplements among university students in the city of São Paulo

A survey was conducted in a sample of 894 students entering a private university in S?o Paulo to examine the vitamin beliefs and to verify the relation between vitamin beliefs and vitamin supplements consumption. Nineteen statements about the relation between vitamins and health were developed to assess the beliefs; the respondents answered by means of a 5-point agreement scale. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of internal consistency was determined for the total scale. 94.5% of students believe that vitamin C prevents and cures the common cold and 72.5% consider vitamins as an energy source. Many students recognize the possibility of health risks associated to excessive vitamin consumption. Vitamin supplement users had a belief score higher than non-users (p < 0.001). The results indicate that several misconceptions about vitamin benefits are common among the students and suggest a relation between vitamin beliefs and supplements consumption.     

Mineral content in fishes in the lower course of the itapecuru river in the state of Maranhão,Brazil

Concentrations of calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, selenium and nickel were determined in the muscle tissue of seven species of fish (Plagioscion squamosissimus, Geophagus surinamensis, Prochilodus lacustres, Curimata sp., Schizodon dissimilis, Ageneiosus ucayalensis and Hypostomus plecostomus) collected from the lower course of the Itapecuru River in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. The samples were digested in a nitricperchloric solution and analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer, with the construction of specific calibration curves for each element. The highest concentrations of constituent minerals were found for phosphorus, potassium, nickel and magnesium (399.83, 144.60, 90.20 and 29.49 mg 100 g^?1, respectively) in G. surinamensi, P. lacustres and Curimata sp. The lowest concentrations were found for copper, zinc, iron and selenium (0.12, 0.51, 1.05 and 8.31 mg 100 g^?1, respectively) in Curimata sp., S. dissimilis, A. ucayalensis and P. squamosissimus. The concentrations of all minerals can be considered low and are below the maximum limit established by Brazilian legislation for the human ingestion of fish meat. A comparison of the seven species of fish investigated revealed no statistically significant differences regarding the concentrations of minerals, suggesting that size and different dietary habits do not exert an influence on absorption. The low concentrations of metals, such as Fe, Cu, Zn and Ni, may be related to the environmental conditions of the mouth of the river, which receives ocean inputs that produce particular tide cycles with a strong dispersion capacity, thereby diminishing residence time in the water column and reducing the availability of these metals to species of fish.     

Genotoxic and epigenotoxic effects in mice exposed to concentrated ambient fine particulate matter (PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript>) from São Paulo city,Brazil

Background

The Metropolitan Area of São Paulo has a unique composition of atmospheric pollutants, and positive correlations between exposure and the risk of diseases and mortality have been observed. Here we assessed the effects of ambient fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) on genotoxic and global DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation changes, as well as the activities of antioxidant enzymes, in tissues of AJ mice exposed whole body to ambient air enriched in PM_2.5, which was concentrated in a chamber near an avenue of intense traffic in São Paulo City, Brazil.

Results

Mice exposed to concentrated ambient PM_2.5 (1 h daily, 3 months) were compared to in situ ambient air exposed mice as the study control. The concentrated PM_2.5 exposed group presented increased levels of the oxidized nucleoside 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine in lung and kidney DNA and increased levels of the etheno adducts 1,N⁶-etheno-2′-deoxyadenosine and 1,N²-etheno-2′-deoxyguanosine in kidney and liver DNA, respectively. Apart from the genotoxic effects, the exposure to PM_2.5 led to decreased levels of the epigenetic mark 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) in lung and liver DNA. Changes in lung, liver, and erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities were also observed. Decreased glutathione reductase and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were observed in the lungs, while the liver presented increased glutathione S-transferase and decreased SOD activities. An increase in SOD activity was also observed in erythrocytes. These changes are consistent with the induction of local and systemic oxidative stress.

Conclusions

Mice exposed daily to PM_2.5 at a concentration that mimics 24-h exposure to the mean concentration found in ambient air presented, after 3 months, increased levels of DNA lesions related to the occurrence of oxidative stress in the lungs, liver, and kidney, in parallel to decreased global levels of 5-hmC in lung and liver DNA. Genetic and epigenetic alterations induced by pollutants may affect the genes committed to cell cycle control, apoptosis, and cell differentiation, increasing the chance of cancer development, which merits further investigation.

     

Potential of Pinhão husk (Araucaria angustifolia) as a structural reinforcement agent in the properties of edible films of Pinhão flour and gelatin

In this study, the use of Pinhão husk as a source of reinforcement material for development of edible films, where the Pinhão seed flour and bovine gelatin were used as matrices for the films. Mechanical properties, water vapor permeability, solubility and opacity, microstructure, and thermal degradation characterized the films produced. The films presented homogeneous and cohesive structures. Pinhão husk content positively affected film properties by increasing tensile strength (TS) and decreasing water vapor permeability (WVP), with Pinhão flour film formulations (5.0% Pinhão flour, 1.2% glycerol, and 0.4% Pinhão husk) and gelatin (5.0% gelatin, 2.0% glycerol, and 0.4% Pinhão husk) those that presented the best results (5.06 MPa for TS and 0.14 g.mm/kPa.h.m² for WVP) and (3.88 MPa for TS and 0.28 g.mm/kPa.h.m² for WVP), respectively The thermal degradation study revealed that the films are stable at temperatures below 150°C, losing only free water and volatile compounds of low molecular weight. Pinhão husk can reinforce films, making them suitable as biodegradable and edible packaging materials for eco-friendly food products. This contributes to the circular economy, preserves biodiversity, and reduces plastic waste, offering promising sustainable packaging solutions.     

Diurnal variation in the water-soluble inorganic ions,organic carbon and isotopic compositions of total carbon and nitrogen in biomass burning aerosols from the LBA-SMOCC campaign in Rondônia,Brazil

Aerosol particles (PM_2.5) were collected during the day (n=6) and nighttime (n=9) from a tropical pasture site in Rondônia, Brazil during an intensive biomass burning period (16–26 September, 2002). Higher normalized (by K⁺, levoglucosan, or apparent elemental carbon, EC_a) mass concentrations of SO₄^2? and CH₃SO₃^? in daytime suggest their photochemical production, while the opposite trend for NO₃^? suggests its transfer to the aerosol phase at lower temperatures and higher humidities, as well as possibly production through hydrolysis of N₂O₅ on aqueous aerosol particles. About 4.2–7.5% of OC (5–13% of water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC)) could be characterized at the molecular level using GC-MS and GC-FID. Among the detected organic compound classes, abundances of anhydrosugars and aromatics were higher in night samples, but sugars/sugar alcohols, diacids, oxoacids and α-dicarbonyls were more abundant in day samples. Consecutive day and night samples showed that δ¹³C values of total carbon (TC) were lower in daytime samples, which can be interpreted as resulting from higher contributions of refractory TC depleted in ¹³C due to predominantly flaming combustion. The δ¹⁵N values of total nitrogen (TN) ranged from +23.5‰ to +25.7‰, however, there was no trend in day and night samples. Higher values of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N for biomass burning particles than those of unburned vegetation reflect positive isotopic enrichment either during the formation of particles or after the emission of particles in the atmosphere.     

Growth Factors,Reactive Oxygen Species,and Metformin—Promoters of the Wound Healing Process in Burns?

Burns can be caused by various factors and have an increased risk of infection that can seriously delay the wound healing process. Chronic wounds caused by burns represent a major health problem. Wound healing is a complex process, orchestrated by cytokines, growth factors, prostaglandins, free radicals, clotting factors, and nitric oxide. Growth factors released during this process are involved in cell growth, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Reactive oxygen species are released in acute and chronic burn injuries and play key roles in healing and regeneration. The main aim of this review is to present the roles of growth factors, reactive oxygen species, and metformin in the healing process of burn injuries.     

Factors associated with infants’ and young children’s (6–23 months) dietary diversity in Pakistan: evidence from the demographic and health survey 2012–13

Background

Optimum nutrition and good feeding practices amongst infants and young children are the key determinants of growth for a healthy life. Dietary diversity is considered to be a reliable and easy-to-measure proxy variable to assess young children’s feeding practices for dietary adequacy and nutritional intake. This research aims to examine the current practices of dietary diversity amongst infants and young children aged 6–23 months in Pakistan and the various associated factors at child, maternal, household and community levels.

Methods

Secondary data analysis was performed for this research using the nationally representative dataset of the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2012–13. Data on the last-born infants and young children aged 6–23 months (n?=?1102) was taken from their mothers’ interviews, who reported on their child’s consumption of 7 food groups during the 24 h immediately preceding the survey. Data was analysed, using IBM® SPSS® Complex Sample to measure the association between children’s dietary diversity and various factors at child, maternal, household and community levels through multiple linear regressions.

Results

Our research uncovered positive associations between children’s dietary diversity and other sociodemographic variables. Overall, a variation was observed in consumption of 7 food groups across the youngest, middle and oldest age-groups of children. Multivariate analysis revealed that the children’s Dietary Diversity Score (scale from 0 to 7) increases to 0.56 (95% CI: 0.18–0.94) amongst children in the middle age-group (12–17 months). Furthermore, the children who were still breastfeeding, with mothers who had a primary level of schooling and whose mothers also received information/services from lady health workers (LHWs) on maternal and child health were found to be a statistically significant predictor of infants’ and young children’s dietary diversity. Nevertheless, amongst them, the DDS had a negative association with the children’s status of still breastfeeding and mothers’ primary level of schooling, whereas it had a positive association with children being in the middle age-group and with mothers who received information/services from LHWs.

Conclusion

The dietary diversity of infants and young children aged 6–23 months has a modest, nevertheless statistically significant, relationship with sociodemographic characteristics in Pakistan. There is a need for practical efforts to change the behaviour of communities to encourage more diverse foods to promote the healthy growth of children.

     

Alimentary, nutritional and health aspects of elderly women in attendance at the Núcleo de Atenção ao Idoso, Recife/2005

Aging has become a worldwide problem. In order to identify food, nutritional and health aspects of elderly women, a across-sectional study was carried out in 2005 with 106 women over 60 years of age cared for at Núcleo de Aten??o ao idoso-NAI at Federal University of Pernambuco. Clinical and social-demographic variables, along with the nutritional status by BMI (OMS and Lipschtz) were assessed, and the frequency of food intake according to food groups. The results disclosed that 38% of the elderly were pre-obese (WHO) and 47.2% were overweight (Lipschitz). As for blood pressure (BP) 69% was found to be hypertensive and 31% normotensive. The BMI mean of hypertensive and normal elderly women was statistically significant (p=0.027). Cereal and bread groups were reported to have been the highest consumption on a daily basis by the elderly women, 89% and 82% respectively. Legumes were present in 53% of the women's meals followed by vegetables with 61% and fruits with 66%. Concerning water intake, 51.9% stated to have ingested one to four glasses of water daily. There was a positive correlation between BMI and systolic (SP) and diastolic pressure (DP) (p<0.001). SP and DP levels showed no correlation with the food intake studied. The results are indicative of an overweight and not conscientious population as regards adequate food intake and point to the necessity of more effective actions in control and/or prevention, particularly for those still young.     

Production and Running Status of China＇s I ＆ S,Building Materials and Nonferrous industries in the First Half of 2014

In the first half of 2014, China＇s crude steel output was 412 million tons, increasing by 2.99% YOY, in which the output of steel products was 552 million tons, increasing by 6.4%; coke output was 234 million tons, decreasing by 1.1% YOY; output of Fe alloy was 19 million tons, increasing by 9.3% YOY. In the first half of 2014, China imported 7.25 million tons of steel products, up 6.1% YOY, exported 41.01 million tons of steel products, up 33.6%; imported 457 million tons of iron sand, up 19.1% YOY; exported 3.93 million tons of coke.     

Two Major Bile Acids in the Hornbills, (24R,25S)-3α,7α,24-Trihydroxy-5β-cholestan-27-oyl Taurine and Its 12α-Hydroxy Derivative

Two major bile acids were isolated from the gallbladder bile of two hornbill species from the Bucerotidae family of the avian order Bucerotiformes Buceros bicornis (great hornbill) and Penelopides panini (Visayan tarictic hornbill). Their structures were determined to be 3α,7α,24‐dihydroxy‐5β‐cholestan‐27‐oic acid and its 12α‐hydroxy derivative, 3α,7α,12α,24‐tetrahydroxy‐5β‐cholestan‐27‐oic acid (varanic acid, VA), both present in bile as their corresponding taurine amidates. The four diastereomers of varanic acid were synthesized and their assigned structures were confirmed by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. VA and its 12‐deoxy derivative were found to have a (24R,25S)‐configuration. 13 additional hornbill species were also analyzed by HPLC and showed similar bile acid patterns to B. bicornis and P. panini. The previous stereochemical assignment for (24R,25S)‐VA isolated from the bile of varanid lizards and the Gila monster should now be revised to the (24S,25S)‐configuration.     

Disproportionation,internal redox and comproportionation in the reaction of Hg22+ with WS42−: synthesis and structure of a novel mixed crystal, (PPh4)2[{Hg2(S)2}0.333(W2S6)0.666]

An equimolar mixture of (PPh₄)₂[Hg(CN)₂Cl₂] and metallic mercury reacts with WS₄²⁻ affording a yellow complex which on structural characterisation was found to be a solid state mixture (PPh₄)₂[{Hg₂(S₂)}_0.333(W₂S₆)_0.666].