Breakfast in Latin America: Evaluation of Nutrient and Food Group Intake Toward a Nutrient-Based Recommendation

BackgroundLittle is known about breakfast habits of the Latin American (LA) population to support nutritional recommendations for a balanced breakfast in this region.ObjectiveTo evaluate the nutritional composition of breakfast in the LA population and to propose recommendations for a balanced breakfast.DesignThis multicenter cross-sectional study evaluated food and nutrient intake of nationally representative samples of urban populations of 8 LA countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela) in 2014-2015.Participants/settingThe sample comprised 8714 participants from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health, aged 15 to 65 years, randomly recruited according to geographical location, sex, age, and socioeconomic level.Main outcome measuresTwo 24-hour recalls were used to examine dietary intake. Breakfast consumers were stratified by tertiles of Nutrient-Rich Foods Index 9.3 (NRF9.3) to assess the overall diet quality of individuals. Nutrient intake at breakfast of those in the upper tertile of NRF9.3 pooled for the 8 countries was used as a reference for the development of recommendations for LA adolescents and adults.Statistical analysesComparison of food and nutrient intake of breakfast across NRF9.3 tertiles were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test.ResultsOverall breakfast was an important contributor to protein, carbohydrate, and B vitamin intakes but also to added sugar and total and saturated fat intakes relative to daily intakes. Individuals in the upper NRF9.3 tertile had higher intake of key micronutrients such as calcium and potassium at breakfast compared with other tertiles. White breads/rolls/tortillas were the most consumed food group (60%), followed by butter/margarine (40%) and coffee/tea without milk (34%-50%).ConclusionsBreakfast contributed to the daily intake of B vitamins, protein, and carbohydrates but also added sugar and total and saturated fat intakes for all countries. The proposed recommendations support the nutrient density of existing highest-quality breakfast in the LA population while addressing concerns about nutrients to be encouraged or reduced.     

The biosimilar pathway in the USA: An analysis of the innovator company and biosimilar company perspectives and beyond

In order to improve access to costly biological treatments, a biosimilar pathway in the United States of America (USA) was enacted under the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCI Act) of 2009. The aim of the present study was to investigate how the health policy, the establishment of the biosimilar pathway, influenced related companies by studying their respective perspectives and strategies revealed in literatures and publicly available resources. Perspectives of companies reveal the points of concern for the biosimilar pathway, such as data requirements, patents, interchangeability, naming, and exclusivity. Innovator companies may utilize expedited programs for serious conditions, enhance patent protection, launch programs for life-cycle extension, and develop biosimilars as well. The biosimilar companies overcoming technical barriers might need to gather convincing evidence to facilitate market penetration as well as to distinguish their products from those of other biosimilar competitors. More challenges are expected for innovator companies if international harmonization takes place, which might be worth further investigation.     

墨西哥及南美洲旋毛虫病流行的历史和现状

该文对旋毛虫病在墨西哥及南美洲的历史、分布、流行现状、感染来源、致病虫种、检疫方法及防治措施等进行了综述。     

用Alabama分析法比较安氏Ⅰ类错中国人与美国白人颅颌面结构差异

目的:研究中国安氏Ⅰ类错成人与美国安氏Ⅰ类错白人牙颌颅面形态结构的差异。方法:从西安市11所大学2098名新生中选取符合标准的101名(男53名、女48名)安氏Ⅰ类错样本。拍摄头颅定位X线片,用第四军医大学口腔医学院头影测量软件测量,用Alabama分析法与美国安氏Ⅰ类错白人颅颌面测量结果进行比较分析。结果:中国西安地区安氏Ⅰ类错成人上下颌突度大,面型较突;平面倾斜度、上下中切牙倾斜度及下中切牙至NB线距均较大;Y轴相对SN平面夹角增大,生长方向为后下。结论:与美国安氏Ⅰ类错白人比较,中国西安地区安氏Ⅰ类错成人颅面结构呈现颌骨突度大、下切牙唇倾及下颌趋向后下等特征。     

Producción científica en educación médica en Latinoamérica en Scopus, 2011-2015

Objective

To describe the scientific production in medical education in Latin America in Scopus, in the period 2011-2015.

Clade analysis and surface antigen polymorphism of hepatitis B virus American genotypes

Eight genotypes (A-H) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) have been described, HBV genotypes F and H being autochthonous to America. HBV genotype F has been classified in four clusters. The objective of this study was to gain insight into the molecular epidemiology of HBV American genotypes, as well as to analyze the genotype-related polymorphism in some functional domains of the surface proteins. The sequences of the S region of 106 isolates genotype F and H were analyzed, out of which 47 isolates genotype F circulated in different Venezuelan populations. Most of the Venezuelan isolates genotype F were grouped in cluster III (n = 39) and 7 in cluster II. One isolate obtained from a blood donor could not be classified in any clade and harbored amino acid substitutions characteristic of a vaccine escape mutant (G145R) and a stop codon in the surface antigen. Amino acid analysis of the PreS and S gene products showed unique genetic characteristics in genotype F and H sequences in some important domains involved in the early steps of infection. Out of 30 available sequences, two complete genome sequences of HBV genotype F from Venezuela were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis of these complete genomes confirmed the presence of four clusters inside genotype F, differing in more than 4% nucleotide divergence. Our extended analysis showed that genotype F clades Ia, III, and IV exhibit a restricted geographic distribution (Central America, the North and the South of South America, respectively) while clades Ib and II are found in all the Americas except in the Northern South America and North America respectively.     

Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases in Latin America: First Report from Eight Countries Participating in the LAGID

The Latin American Group for Primary Immunodeficiencies, formed in 1993, presently includes 12 countries. One goal was to study the frequency of primary immunodeficiencies in various regions of the American continent and to enhance knowledge about these diseases among primary-care physicians, as well as allergist–immunologists. Important for this purpose was the development of a registry of primary immunodeficiencies using a uniform questionnaire and computerized database. To date, eight countries have collected information on a total of 1428 patients. Predominantly antibody deficiencies were reported in 58% of patients, followed by cellular and antibody immunodeficiencies associated with other abnormalities in 18%, immunodeficiency syndromes associated with granulocyte dysfunction in 8%, phagocytic disorders in 9%, combined cellular and antibody immunodeficiencies in 5%, and complement deficiencies in 2% of patients. The information gathered from this initial analysis of data will serve to expand the patient database to more areas within participating countries and to new countries and to increase collaboration toward better diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.