Status of folate in healthy children in Almeria.

The objective of this study is to establish reference values for folic acid in a healthy population of children aged 4-11 years and to examine related epidemiological, dietary and analytical factors. A cross-sectional study of 658 healthy children aged 4-11 years was made. Epidemiological, socioeconomic and dietary variables were analysed, the BMI Z-score was obtained, levels of serum folate and serum vitamin B were determined and haematological, iron status and erythropoietic activity parameters were examined.

Relationship between Obesity and Iron Deficiency in Healthy Adolescents.

The relationship between overweight/obesity (excess of weight [EW]) and iron deficiency (ID) is not well defined. To analyze the relationship between EW and ID in healthy adolescents, assessing the contribution of new diagnostic measures of iron status and erythropoietic activity. A cross-sectional study was made of 405 healthy adolescents, 12-16 years of age.

[Laboratory determination of thiopurine levels in paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease].

Introduction And Objectives: Thiopurines are drugs widely used in patients for the maintenance of remission in inflammatory bowel disease. The optimal plasma levels are known, but there is controversy about whether the need for other drugs is reduced or is cost-effective. The aim of this study is to describe the use of the optimised treatment with thiopurines in paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease followed up in this Unit since the introduction of determining the drug levels.

Aflatoxins Contamination in Maize Products from Rural Communities in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

Background: Aflatoxins are a group of mycotoxins that have been associated with hepatic damage and cancer. Aflatoxins B1 and B2 are secondary metabolites produced by fungi Aspergillus. These toxins can be found in a variety of commodities, especially in maize, and have been studied around the world due to their effects in human health.

Reference values of serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) and sTfR/log ferritin index in healthy children.

ABSTARCT The aims of this study were to determine appropriate reference ranges for serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) and sTfR/log ferritin (sTfR-F index) in healthy children and their relationship with iron parameters, erythropoiesis, and other conditions presented by the subject. A total of 902 children with normal iron status, aged 1-11 years, were included in a cross-sectional study. A physical examination was conducted and z-score of body mass index (zBMI) obtained.

PREVALENCE OF METABOLIC SYNDROME AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN A CITY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AREA: COMPARISON OF TWO DEFINITIONS.

Background And Objective: there are few studies on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in European adolescent populations, and some have reported a higher prevalence in the Mediterranean basin area. Our objective was to examine the prevalence of MetS in adolescents in a Mediterranean city of Spain, comparing two different definitions of MetS and the associated risk factors.

Methods And Results: a cross-sectional population-based study was conducted among 379 adolescents aged 12-16.

[Associated factors to insulin values in a population-based study in adolescents].

Objectives: To identify factors that correlate with insulin values and to examine its independent associations among adolescents.

Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted among adolescents aged 12-16,9 years old. A multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method was employed.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents aged 2-16 years.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of obesity and overweight in children and adolescents in our city and to investigate the associated factors.

Subjects And Methods: A cross-sectional study of 1317 children and adolescents aged 2-16 years. Multistage probability sampling was used to select three groups of subjects: 411 aged 12 to 16 years, 504 aged 6 to 12 years, and 402 aged 2 to 6 years.

Effect of fluoride exposure on different immune parameters in humans.

Context: T regulatory (Treg) cells play an important role in the modulation of the immune response, and are implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Many people is exposed to fluoride (F), mainly through drinking water.

Objective: The aim of this work was to assess the possible effect of F exposure on different immune parameters, mainly Treg cells.

Pattern of expression of apoptosis and inflammatory genes in humans exposed to arsenic and/or fluoride.

We have assessed whether the combined exposure to arsenic (As) and fluoride (F) exerts a different effect than the exposure to As alone on the pattern of expression of apoptosis and inflammatory genes by immune cells. RNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells from twenty individuals exposed or not to As or F or both. Then, cDNA was isolated, and the expression of 180 genes related to apoptosis and inflammation was tested by a cDNA array test.