Food, youth and the Mediterranean diet in Spain. Development of KIDMED, Mediterranean Diet Quality Index in children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dietary habits in Spanish children and adolescents based on a Mediterranean Diet Quality Index tool, which considers certain principles sustaining and challenging traditional healthy Mediterranean dietary patterns. DESIGN: Observational population-based cross-sectional study. A 16-item Mediterranean Diet Quality Index was included in data gathered for the EnKid study (in which two 24-hour recalls, a quantitative 169-item food-frequency questionnaire and a general questionnaire about socio-economic, demographic and lifestyle items were administered). SETTING: Spain. SUBJECTS: In total, 3850 children and youths aged 2-24 years residing in Spain. RESULTS: Of the sample, 4.2% showed very low KIDMED index results, 49.4% had intermediate values and 46.4% had high index results. Important geographical differences were seen, with subjects from the Northeast showing the most favourable outcomes (52% with elevated scores vs. 37.5% of those from the North). Lower percentages of high diet quality were observed in low socio-economic groups, compared with middle and upper income cohorts (42.8%, 47.6% and 54.9%, respectively). Large cities had more positive results and only slight variations were seen for gender and age. CONCLUSIONS: The KIDMED index, the first to evaluate the adequacy of Mediterranean dietary patterns in children and youth, confirms that this collective is undergoing important changes, which makes them a priority target for nutrition interventions. Results challenge certain commonly perceived notions tied to income level, population size and diet quality.     

In vivo antifungal activity of the essential oil of Bupleurum gibraltarium against Plasmopara halstedii in sunflower

The antifungal activity of the essential oil of the aerial parts of Bupleurum gibraltarium was evaluated against Plasmopara halstedii. Fungus spores were inoculated in sunflower seedlings, previously treated with several essential oil solutions, and the sporulation percentage was measured after an 11-day treatment. The oil at a concentration of 5.0 mL/L clearly inhibited the fungus sporulation. The contact between fungus sporangia and essential oil was minimized, so it seems that the oil pretreatment could activate the defense response of the sunflower seedlings against the pathogen invasion. The main compounds in the oil were sabinene (31.1%), alpha-pinene (15.6%), and 2,3,4-trimethylbenzaldehyde (10.9%), among a total of 65 components identified.     

低温胁迫对决明属牧草苗期活性氧化谢及其自适性响应的研究

试验研究低温胁迫对决明属牧草“CPI86134”品系苗期活性氧代谢及其自适性响应结果表明,随低温胁迫强度的提高和低温胁迫时间的延长,植株体内活性氧净产生速率、过氧化氢和丙二醛含量、叶片电解质渗透率均增加;植株体内活性氧清除酶超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化物酶、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶活性在0~48h胁迫时间内以较快速率提高,48h后其提高速率趋缓。活性氧清除酶活性的提高是“CPI86134”品系对低温胁迫伤害的一种自适性反应,活性氧、过氧化氢大量积累最终导致“CPI86134”植株体膜脂过氧化和膜系统的损伤。     

Improved water solubility of neohesperidin dihydrochalcone in sweetener blends

Significant technological advantages in terms of sweetness synergy and hence cost-saving can be obtained if neohesperidin dihydrochalcone (NHDC) is used in sweetener blends with other intense or bulk sweeteners. The combination of NHDC with sodium saccharin or sodium cyclamate is an excellent method to improve the water solubility at room temperature of NHDC. In the case of NHDC-sodium saccharin, two different methods for blend preparation, a simple mixture and a cosolubilized mixture, can be used, with similar results obtained for solubility and solution stability properties. To improve temporally the water solubility of NHDC in combination with sodium cyclamate, it is absolutely necessary to prepare cosolubilized blends.     

Fermentation of white wines in the presence of wood chips of American and French oak

Must obtained from Airén grapes was fermented in the presence of wood chips (4 and 7 g/L) of either French oak (from Vosges, central France, and Allier zones) or American oak. Fermentation yields were higher than in the control fermentations carried out in the absence of wood, and production of volatile substances during fermentation (alcohols, esters, and acetates) was also higher. The volatile substances that leached out of the wood were analyzed by GC-MS-SIR. The results showed that their concentrations depended on the type and amount of the oak; some of these substances were consumed in part by the yeasts during fermentation. A taste panel favorably assessed the wines produced by fermentation in the presence of oak chips, which retained part of the must original fruity aroma.     

Release of lipids during yeast autolysis in a model wine system

The release of lipids during the aging of sparkling wines in contact with yeast can influence wine sensory attributes and, especially, foam characteristics. Model systems allow study of the autolysis process in a reasonable period of time compared to natural conditions, at which it can last several months. In this paper, the release of the different classes of lipids during the autolysis of three commercial yeast strains in a model wine medium has been monitored. Due to the absence of accurate quantitative methods, an HPLC method for separating and quantifying the different neutral and polar yeast lipid classes was developed. Lipids were eluted through a YMC PVA-Sil column with a complex solvent mixture. Detection was carried out with a light-scattering detector. The yeasts were suspended in the model wine buffer and incubated at 30 degrees C for up to 12 days. A release of triacylglycerols, 1,3-diacylglycerols, 2-monoacylglycerols, free fatty acids, sterol esters, and sterols was observed over the first 2 days, a period that corresponded to the maximum loss of yeast viability. A decrease in most of these lipids was observed from day 2, possibly indicative of the release of yeast hydrolytic enzymes due to the breakdown of the cell wall. Phospholipids were not detected in any of the autolysates. The mean lipid content in the autolysates as a percentage of the total lipid content in the yeasts was 8.6% for sterol esters, 3.8% for sterols, 2% for triacylglycerols, and <2% for 1,3-diacylglycerols and free fatty acids.     

Persistence of simazine and terbuthylazine in a semiarid soil after organic amendment with urban sewage sludge

The persistence of two herbicides, simazine and terbuthylazine, and appearance of their principal dealkylated chloro-s-triazine metabolites have been studied in agricultural soil after the addition of urban sewage sludge as organic amendment. Both herbicides and metabolites were monitored during long-term laboratory incubation (140 days) and analyzed by gas chromatography with a nitrogen-phosphorus detector (GC-NPD). Residues were confirmed by gas chromatography with a mass selective detector (GC-MSD). A sonication microextraction method was used to extract the compounds. The organic amendments used were urban sewage sludge and the humic fraction of this sludge, to increase the organic matter content of the soil from 1% to 2%. For both compounds, simazine and terbuthylazine, the degradation began earlier in the amended soils. Simazine showed a higher dissipation rate than terbuthylazine, the percentage of the former at the end of the experiment being lower than 2% in all cases, while for terbuthylazine the corresponding percentage ranged from 5% to 46%. Organic amendment, mainly its humic fraction, caused a certain stabilization of terbuthylazine in the soil, but did not greatly influence the residual amount of simazine at the end of the experiment. The periodic aeration of the soil caused a greater degradation in the case of terbuthylazine. Only mono-deethylsimazine and deethylterbuthylazine were isolated from the soil during the time the experiment lasted, while the di-deethylated metabolite of simazine was not found.     

论提高伏尔加河三角洲鲟鱼类繁殖场幼鱼成活率问题

当前，人工繁殖对增殖里海鲟鱼类资源的作用很大，但人工繁殖效果及其对增加鲟鱼类种群数量的作用往往取决于繁殖场放流的幼鲟的质量。在这方面，从鲟鱼类生物学特性、从环境条件对放流幼鲟的影响来考察，幼鲟入海后的成活率高低便是个关键问题。     

Ocular signs of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis: a retrospective study in dogs from Barcelona, Spain

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) is a tick-borne disease caused by the rickettsia Ehrlichia canis. Ocular lesions are a common feature of the disease and can be present in all stages. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the prevalence, type and response to treatment of ocular lesions associated with monocytic ehrlichiosis in 46 affected dogs presented to the Autonomous University of Barcelona-Veterinary Teaching Hospital (UAB-VTH) from January 2000 to December 2002. Dogs were included in the study only if they had a positive serologic test for E. canis and information about the clinical outcome was available. Eighteen breeds were represented, with the German Shepherd dog (n = 6) being the most common. There were 25 intact and three castrated males, and 16 intact and two neutered females. Twenty dogs (43.4%) were between 5 and 10 years old. Seventeen dogs (37% of all cases of monocytic ehrlichiosis diagnosed during the study period) had ocular signs, and 11 dogs (64.7% of the ocular cases) had only ocular lesions without apparent systemic signs. Exudative retinal detachment was the most common ocular manifestation; other prevalent findings included anterior exudative uveitis and optic neuritis. Five of the 17 cases with ocular lesions (29.4%) had ocular bleeding disorders (hyphema or retinal hemorrhages). All the dogs with ocular disease presented with bilateral signs. Dogs with posterior segment disease had titers against E. canis that were > or = 1 : 320, while lower titers were noted in dogs with anterior exudative uveitis. Two dogs presented with chronic autoimmune panuveitis after ehrlichiosis treatment. Canine ehrlichiosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of exudative retinal detachment and anterior uveal inflammatory lesions.     

Therapy of ocular and visceral leishmaniasis in a cat

An 8-year-old, spayed female Domestic Short-haired cat was referred for further evaluation of chronic lymphocytic-plasmacytic stomatitis and bilateral ocular disease. The cat had been treated with systemic glucocorticoids for several months. Initial ophthalmic examination revealed bilateral deep stromal corneal ulcers, exudative panuveitis and secondary glaucoma. Mature mild neutrophilia and monocytosis were detected on complete blood cell count. Abnormalities in the serum profile were hyperglycemia, mild azotemia, hyperglobulinemia and moderate polyclonal gammapathy. Urinalysis revealed glucosuria without ketonuria. Diabetes mellitus was diagnosed and treatment with long-acting insulin was started. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was highly positive for leishmaniasis, and treatment with allopurinol was started. Although specific topical treatment was applied, melting ulcers progressed to corneal perforation and both eyes were enucleated. Ocular histology showed large numbers of intracellular organisms compatible with amastigotes of the genus Leishmania located in the uveal tract, cornea, sclera and retina. Results of inmunohistochemistry staining on ocular samples were positive for Leishmania. Bone marrow cytology demonstrated numerous macrophages with intracytoplasmatic Leishmania. Polymerase chain reaction results on bone marrow for Leishmania were positive. Three weeks later, hypoglycemic episodes permitted withdrawal of the insulin therapy. To the authors' knowledge this is the first case of ocular and visceral leishmaniasis diagnosed in vivo and under systemic treatment in a cat.