[Study of the introduction of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) in pediatrics and modification of the teaching methodology].

Introduction: Spanish medical faculties have initiated the new curriculum reform process within the framework of the European Higher Education Area and are required to incorporate the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) to new syllabi before 2010.

Objectives: To test the introduction of the ECTS in pediatrics and modify the teaching methodology.

Study Design: The theoretical and practical programs were adapted; academic objectives and a student evaluation system were established.

[Utility of congenital hypothyroidism screening in neonates for monitoring iodine deficit disorders in the Canary Islands (Spain)].

Background: Newborns in European cities where iodine intake is low have been demonstrated to present high frequencies of transitory hypothyroidism. Because the neonatal period is critical for cerebral development, this is a cause for concern. Published studies (WHO/UNICEF/ICCIDD) indicate that neonates with a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration of more than 5 mU/ml revealed by screening for congenital hypothyroidism present mild iodine deficiency.

Hair zinc and copper in chronic alcoholics.

Chronic alcoholics frequently show associated malnutrition. Both ethanol and malnutrition exert profound changes on zinc and copper metabolism. In this study, we found higher hair zinc and copper values in 43 male alcoholics than in 39 controls.

Relative and combined effects of ethanol and protein deficiency on some hair trace elements: lack of relationship with body stores.

This study was performed in order to analyze the relative and combined effects of ethanol and protein deficiency on hair copper, zinc, manganese, and iron content in four groups of seven animals each which were pair-fed during 8 wk with (1) a nutritionally adequate diet, (2) a 36% (as energy) ethanol-containing isocaloric diet, (3) a 2% protein, isocaloric diet, and (4) a 36% ethanol, 2% protein isocaloric diet, respectively, following the Lieber-DeCarli model, and to analyze the relationship between hair copper, zinc, manganese, and iron content, and the liver and muscle content of these elements. Although there was a trend to higher levels of all the elements analyzed in the the hair of the low-protein fed animals, differences were statistically significant regarding copper and manganese, effects being solely attributable to the low protein diet, not to ethanol. Moreover, hair copper was significantly, inversely related with final weight and weight loss.

[Smoking in adolescents, saliva cotinine concentrations and respiratory disease].

Objective: To assess cotinine levels in the saliva of adolescents and the relationship between these levels, smoking habits and respiratory disease.

Patients And Methods: We studied 420 adolescents (54.7% boys and 45.

[Exposure to tobacco and cotinine levels in children].

Objective: To evaluate the exposure of children and their parents to cigarette smoke by measuring cotinine levels in saliva.

Patients: A total of 151 children (84 males and 67 females) aged 15 days to 17 years from hospital and extrahospital practices.

Method: Questionnaire on exposure to cigarette smoke from their parents, saliva cotinine levels by radioimmunoassay.

[Influence of growth hormone (GH) and nutrition on neonatal growth].

Objective: At present, growth regulating factors in the transition from fetal to postnatal life remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of GH and nutrition on neonatal growth.

Patients And Methods: Serum and 24-hour urine GH levels, various anthopometric variables and daily energy and nutrient intake were measured in appropriate (AGA), large (LGA) and small for gestational age (SGA) newborn infants.

[Trace elements and growth factors in the perinatal period].

The objective of this study was to measure serum IGF-I, IGFBP-3, copper and zinc levels and to analyze their relationship to perinatal growth. Serum IGF-I (RIA after acid-ethanol extraction), IGFBP-3 (RIA), copper and zinc (atomic absorption spectrophotometry) levels were measured in cord blood (n = 78) and in newborn children 1 (n = 110) and 3 (n = 42) weeks after birth. Anthropometric variables were measured and the weekly average intake of energy and nutrients were calculated.

[Clinical evaluation of glycohemoglobin and serum glycoproteins using affinity chromatography in children with type I diabetes mellitus].

We measured in 67 diabetic and 40 non-diabetic children glycosylated haemoglobin levels by both affinity chromatography (Gly Hb) and cation exchange chromatography (Hb A1), glycosylated plasma proteins by affinity chromatography (Gly PP) and glycosylated serum proteins by the colorimetric method of thiobarbituric acid (PSG). There was in the diabetic children a significant linear correlation between these four determinations, as well as between them and the values in mean glycaemias and mean glycosurias. The average Hb A1 over a 20-month observation period was 11.