Accuracy of a portable breath meter test for the detection of halitosis in children and adolescents.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the accuracy of the Breath-Alert™ portable breath meter (BA) for the detection of halitosis in children and adolescents, considering the organoleptic test (OT) as the gold standard in this assessment.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 children (aged 6-12 years). OT was performed by three independent examiners on a single occasion, obtaining three scores of 0-5 points on the Rosenberg's organoleptic scale.

Halitosis: prevalence and association with oral etiological factors in children and adolescents.

Halitosis is a condition that can have negative social impacts. Although common, its prevalence and associated etiological factors have been studied little in the child/adolescent population. The aim of the present study was to associate the occurrence of halitosis with oral etiological factors in children aged 6-12 years.

Effects of prebiotic supplementation on the expression of proteins regulating iron absorption in anaemic growing rats.

Prebiotics may increase intestinal Fe absorption in anaemic growing rats. The present study evaluated the effects of high-performance (HP) inulin and oligofructose on factors that regulate Fe absorption in anaemic rats during the growth phase. Male Wistar rats aged 21 d of age were fed AIN-93G ration without Fe for 2 weeks to induce Fe-deficiency anaemia.

Effects of soy beverage and soy-based formula on growth, weight, and fecal moisture: experimental study in rats.

Objective: To compare body growth, weight, and fecal moisture in recently weaned rats fed exclusively on infant soy formula and soy-based beverage.

Methods: Three similar groups were formed (n=10/group) consisting of weanling Wistar rats, maintained in metabolic cages. One group was fed soy protein-based beverage, another with soy-based infant formula, and another with cow's milk infant formula (control group).

Effects of programmed physical activity on body composition in post-pubertal schoolchildren.

Objective: To assess body composition modifications in post-pubertal schoolchildren after practice of a physical activity program during one school year.

Methods: The sample consisted of 386 students aged between 15 and 17 years and divided into two groups: the study group (SG) comprised 195 students and the control group (CG), 191. The SG was submitted to a physical activity program and the CG attended conventional physical education classes.

Molecular analysis and association with clinical and laboratory manifestations in children with sickle cell anemia.

Objectives: To analyze the frequency of β(S)-globin haplotypes and alpha-thalassemia, and their influence on clinical manifestations and the hematological profile of children with sickle cell anemia.

Method: The frequency of β(S)-globin haplotypes and alpha-thalassemia and any association with clinical and laboratorial manifestations were determined in 117 sickle cell anemia children aged 3-71 months. The confirmation of hemoglobin SS and determination of the haplotypes were achieved by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, and alpha-thalassemia genotyping was by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (single-tube multiplex-polymerase chain reaction).

Assessment of antioxidants status and superoxide dismutase activity in HIV-infected children.

Objective: This study aims to assess the nutritional status of selenium, copper and zinc; and also the erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity of HIV-infected children compared to a control group.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with prepubertal HIV-infected children (n=51) and their healthy siblings (n=32). All biochemical measurements including plasma selenium, serum copper levels, serum and erythrocyte zinc levels and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity were evaluated according to dietary, clinical and biochemical parameters.

Production of extracellular matrix proteins by human pulp fibroblasts in contact with papacárie and carisolv.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of two products for the chemomecanical removal of carious tissue (Papacárie and Carisolv) on human dental pulp fibroblasts and the synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins.

Materials And Methods: Fibroblasts were divided into three groups: group 1 (control), group 2 (Papacárie) and group 3 (Carisolv). Collagen I, III , fibronectin and osteonectin were analysed by immunofluorescence and compared among the groups.

Food pattern and nutritional status of children with cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVES To assess the food intake pattern and the nutritional status of children with cerebral palsy. METHODS Cross-sectional study with 90 children from two to 12.8 years with cerebral palsy in the following forms: hemiplegia, diplegia, and tetraplegia.

Influence of artistic gymnastics on iron nutritional status and exercise-induced hemolysis in female athletes.

This study evaluates the relationship between body iron losses and gains in artistic gymnastics female athletes. It shows that despite the low iron intake and exercise-induced hemolysis, iron deficiency or iron-deficiency anemia does not occur, but partial changes in the hematological profile do. The hypothesis that gymnasts' nutritional behavior contributes to anemia, which may be aggravated by exercise-induced hemolysis, led to this cross-sectional study, conducted with 43 female artistic gymnasts 6-16 yr old.

Use of iron-fortified rice reduces anemia in infants.

Food fortification is advocated to tackle iron deficiency in anemic populations. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of iron-fortified rice (Ultrarice(®)) weekly on hemoglobin and anemia levels compared with standard rice (control). This cluster-randomized study deals with infants (10-23 months) from two public child day care centers in Brazil, n = 216, in an 18 week intervention.

Milk-based cornstarch porridge fortified with iron is effective in reducing anemia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

This study evaluates the impact of a milk-based cornstarch porridge fortified with iron, in 4-year olds, compared with control on hemoglobin levels and anemia prevalence. This trial was a cluster-randomized, double-blind one, and used milk-based cornstarch porridge fortified with 10 mg elemental iron (FeSO(4)), daily, during 14 weeks, compared with control. The study population comprised 4-year-old preschoolers (n = 131).

High-performance inulin and oligofructose prebiotics increase the intestinal absorption of iron in rats with iron deficiency anaemia during the growth phase.

Considering the high frequency of anaemia due to Fe deficiency, it is important to evaluate the effects of prebiotics on the absorption of Fe. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of high-performance (HP) inulin, oligofructose and synergy1 during recovery from anaemia in rats through the intestinal absorption of Fe, food intake, body growth, caecal pH and weight of the intestine. Wistar rats (n 47) were fed with rations of AIN93-G with no Fe to induce Fe deficiency anaemia.

Weekly iron supplementation for the prevention of anemia in pre-school children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: This study analyses the impact of weekly iron supplementation with ferrous sulphate heptahydrate (FeSO4) in 5-year-olds compared with placebo, on hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Ht) values and anemia.

Design: The study concerns a cluster-randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind trial. Intervention participants received 50 mg elemental iron for 14 weeks.

Effect of dietary fibre mixture on growth and intestinal iron absorption in rats recovering from iron-deficiency anaemia.

There is concern regarding the possible negative effects of ingestion of dietary fibre on growth and intestinal Fe absorption in infants. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of a fibre mixture on the growth and the intestinal absorption of Fe in rats with Fe-deficiency anaemia with that of a diet without fibres. Faecal weight and caecal pH were also evaluated.

Randomized controlled trial of iron-fortified drinking water in preschool children.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of fortified drinking water, with different concentrations of iron added, on hemoglobin and hematocrit values in preschoolers.

Methods: Double-blind, randomized cluster clinical trial, with children aged 2 to 5 years of age, from 4 state-run schools, forming 1 group for each school. For fortification, ferrous sulphate in concentrations of 5 mg of elemental iron per liter of water (group A), 7.

Analysis of the stimulated whole saliva in overweight and obese school children.

Objective: To determine if some stimulated whole saliva parameters are influenced by an increase of Body Mass Index.

Methods: Controlled cross-sectional study involving 90 school children of both genders between 7 and 10 years of age, from Bragança Paulista - SP. Three groups were formed: overweight, obese and control.

Effect of a beverage fortified with evaporated sugarcane juice on hemoglobin levels in preschool children.

The study objective was to measure the effect of consumption of a beverage mixed with a high-iron sweetener (evaporated sugarcane juice known as rapadura) on hemoglobin levels in preschool children, and to compare it with the effect of consuming the same beverage sweetened with refined sugar. Research consisted of a 12-week randomized, controlled double-blind trial conducted in 2007 at a state-run school in Sobral, Brazil, among children aged 2-3 years. The study sample was divided into two groups-one consuming cashew juice mixed with 25 g of rapadura and 40 mg of ascorbic acid (per 200-mL serving), and another consuming the same quantity of juice and ascorbic acid sweetened with 25 g of standard refined sugar.

Iron absorption from infant formula and iron-fortified cow's milk: experimental model in weanling rats.

Objective: To compare iron absorption from infant formula and iron-fortified cow's milk.

Methods: Twenty-four weanling Wistar rats were maintained in metabolic cages during the whole experiment (10 days). On the first day, the animals were divided into three similar groups according to their weight, length, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels: 1) infant formula; 2) powdered whole cow's milk fortified with iron in the same quantity and type as the formula; 3) control--powdered whole cow's milk not fortified with iron.

[Impact of family support over food intake and depressive status in cervical cancer patients during hospitalization].

Introduction: Uterine cervical cancer represents a public health problem in Mexico; the patients suffer physical and psychological stress leading to depression and weight loss. Eating with a relative has positive effects in food ingestion and depressive status in hospitalized patients. In our society, food is the closest way that family members have to bring care and to show affection to the patient that has less appetite as disease goes on.

Effect of calcium intake, tennis playing, and body composition on bone-mineral density of Brazilian male adolescents.

In this prospective, cross-sectional study male adolescent tennis players (44) and nonathletic controls (32) were evaluated to determine the effects of physical activity, dietary nutrient intakes, sexual maturation, and body composition on bone-mineral density (BMD). Dietary nutrient intakes and physical activity expenditure were estimated by 4-d diaries. Total body composition, bone-mineral content (BMC), and BMD (L1-L4, femur, and nondominant forearm) were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Body composition and nutritional profile of male adolescent tennis players.

In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the body composition and dietary intake of 44 adolescent tennis players. After being divided into two groups (age 10-13 years and age 14-18), the players had their weight, height, and sexual maturation assessed. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to assess body composition.

[Nutritional status in hospitalized patients in a public hospital in Mexico City].

Objective: To determine the frequency of malnutrition among hospitalized patients and to relate nutrition status with body mass index, fasting time, adequacy intake of protein and energy during hospitalization and length of stay. METHODS (STUDY POPULATION, SUBJECTS, INTERVENTION): We evaluated weight loss in the last 6 months prior to admission, body mass index (BMI), ideal and usual body weight percentages, days of hospitalization, energy and protein intake adequacy, fasting days and cause in hospitalized patients at different wards at Hospital General de Mexico. Patients were divided into groups according to their nutritional status (at risk/with malnutrition or normal) and data was assessed descriptively and comparatively by t-tests to determine mean differences.

[Anemia and nutritional status of children in day-care centers in Guaxupé].

Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status and the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in children attending public day care centers in the city of Guaxupé (MG), Brazil.

Methods: Children of both genders, from 6 to 72 months, registered in public day-care centers in the city of Guaxupé, were studied. Nutritional evaluation was conducted using the Z-score for height-to-age and weight-to-height relationships.