The contents of Na, K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn were analyzed and evaluated in 181 samples of various types of gofio produced from different roasted cereal grains. Samples were analyzed by ICP-OES. Based on a daily gofio intake of 30 g/day for adults and 15 g/day for children, the daily intake of each metal, and its percentage contribution to the RDAs established for the Spanish population, were estimated. The metal with the highest concentration was K (2189 ± 766 mg/kg). The lowest concentration was observed for Cu in corn gofio samples (2.05 ± 0.36 mg/kg). With respect to daily intake, it is noteworthy that gofio contributes significantly to the recommended allowance of copper (53.77%-71.45% of the RDI), depending on the population group considered and on the type of gofio.

En este trabajo se ha estudiado la composición mineral de Na, K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu y Zn en 181 muestras de diversos tipos de gofio elaborados con diferentes cereales. Las muestras se analizaron mediante espectrometría de emisión óptica con plasma acoplado inductivamente (ICP-OES). Considerando un consumo medio diario de 30 g de gofio en adultos y de 15 g de gofio en niños, se estimaron las ingestas diarias de cada metal y sus contribuciones porcentuales a las IDRs establecidas para la población española. El elemento que presentó la mayor concentración de todos los estudiados fue el K en muestras de gofio de cereales, con una concentración media de 2189 ± 766 mg/kg. El de menor concentración fue el Cu en muestras de gofio de maíz, con 2,05 ± 0,36 mg/kg. Con respecto a la ingesta, cabe destacar que el gofio contribuye de manera significativa a la ingesta de cobre (53,77%-71,45% de la IDR), en función del grupo de población que se trate y del tipo de gofio.

Introduction: Tomato is considered a healthy food due to its high content in lycopene and other health-promoting natural compounds. Tomatoes have, undoubtedly, assumed the status of a food with functional properties, considering the epidemiological evidence of reducing the risk of certain types of cancers. Objective: Samples of tomatoes from Morocco were analyzed for the mineral composition. Methods: 94 tomato samples from Morocco were analyzed. Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (FAAS) was used to determine essential elements (Copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn)) and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry with Graphite Furnace (GAAS) was used to analyzed cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). Results: The mean concentrations were 0.17 mg/kg, 0.73 mg/kg, 0.20 mg/kg, 0.44 mg/kg, 7.58 μg/kg and 15.8 μg/kg for Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd and Pb, respectively. The highest contribution to the intakes was observed for Cu (0.67% for adults) while that Zn showed the lowest contribution (0.14% for adult males and 0.20% for adult females). Conclusions: Tomatoes are a good source of essential elements for the diet, mainly iron and zinc. Tomatoes consumption does not significantly affect the intake of heavy metals.

Introducción: El tomate es considerado un alimento saludable debido a su alto contenido en licopeno y otros componentes naturales promotores de salud. Indudablemente, los tomates han asumido el estatus de un alimento con propiedades funcionales, considerando desde un punto de vista epidemiológico reducir ciertos tipos de cánceres Objetivo: Analizar la composición mineral de muestras de tomates de Marruecos. Métodos: 94 muestras de tomates de Marruecos fueron analizadas. Espectrofotometría de Absorción Atómica por llama (FAAS) se usó para determinar elementos esenciales (Cobre (Cu), hierro (Fe), manganeso (Mn) y zinc (Zn) y Espectrofotometría de Absorción Atómica con cámara de grafito (GAAS) se usó para analizar cadmio (Cd) y plomo (Pb). Resultados: Las concentraciones medias fueron 0,17 mg/kg, 0,73 mg/kg, 0,20 mg/kg, 0,44 mg/kg, 7,58 μg/kg and 15,8 μg/kg para Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd y Pb, respectivamente. La contribución a la ingesta más alta fue observada para el Cu (0,67% para adultos) mientras que el Zn presentó la contribución más baja (0,14% para hombres adultos y 0,20% para mujeres adultas). Conclusión: Los tomates son una buena fuente de elementos esenciales para la dieta, principalmente hierro y zinc. El consumo de tomates no afecta significativamente a la ingesta de metales pesados.

Introduction: Palm syrup is a typical product from the Canary Islands, traditionally produced from the sap of the tropical palm tree Phoenix canariensis. Its high caloric content has led to its increasing use as a health food supplement for athletes, children and elderly. Furthermore, demand for this natural syrup is continuously increasing due also to its medicinal uses in homeopathic medicine. Objective: Palm Tree syrup samples prepared with palm sap from primary producers in La Gomera island (Canary Islands, Spain) were analyzed for their nutritional composition (moisture, ash, sugars, fat, vitamins and minerals). Methods: 35 syrup samples from five different producing regions in La Gomera island were analyzed. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine sugars and vitamins and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (FAAS) was used to analyze the minerals. Results: Major carbohydrates were sucrose (37.8%), glucose (9.50%) and fructose (4.80%), respectively. The presence of arabinose could not be confirmed. Niacin was the water-soluble vitamin with the highest concentration with an average content of 0.003%. Fat content was found to be under 0.20%. Potassium was the mineral with highest contents (0.45%). Conclusions: Results suggest that palm tree syrup can play an important role as a sugar and mineral source in human nutrition, suggesting that future applications for this product could be developed.

Introducción: La miel de palma es un producto típico de las Islas Canarias, tradicionalmente producido a partir de la savia de la palmera Phoenix canariensis. El alto contenido calórico lo convierte en un producto cada vez más utilizado como suplemento alimenticio para atletas, niños y mayores. Además, la demanda de este sirope natural, está en constante crecimiento debido también a sus usos medicinales en la medicina homeopática. Objetivo: Analizar la composición nutricional (humedad, cenizas, azúcares, grasa, vitaminas y minerales) de las muestras de miel de palma preparadas con la savia de las palmeras de los productores de la isla de La Gomera (Islas Canarias, España). Métodos: 35 muestras de miel de palma procedentes de cinco regiones productoras de la isla de La Gomera fueron analizadas. Los azúcares y las vitaminas fueron medidos mediante cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (CLAR) y la espectrofotometría de absorción atómica por llama (FAAS) se usó para determinar los minerales. Resultados: Los hidratos de carbono mayoritarios fueron sacarosa (37,8%), glucosa (9,50%) y fructosa (4,80%), respectivamente. La presencia de arabinosa no pudo ser confirmada. La niacina es la vitamina hidrosoluble con la mayor concentración con un contenido promedio de 0,003%. Los contenidos en grasas se encontraron por debajo de 0,20%. El potasio era el macroelemento con los contenidos más altos (0,45%). Conclusiones: Los resultados sugieren que la miel de palma puede jugar un papel importante como una fuente de azúcar y minerales en la nutrición humana y se pueden desarrollar futuras aplicaciones para este producto.

A new autosomal recessive genetic condition, the SPOAN syndrome (an acronym for spastic paraplegia, optic atrophy and neuropathy syndrome), was recently discovered in an isolated region of the State of Rio Grande do Norte in Northeast Brazil, in a population that was identified by the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) as belonging to the Brazilian communities with the highest rates of "deficiencies" (Neri, 2003), a term used to describe diseases, malformations, and handicaps in general. This prompted us to conduct a study of consanguinity levels in five of its municipal districts by directly interviewing their inhabitants. Information on 7,639 couples (corresponding to about 40% of the whole population of the studied districts) was obtained. The research disclosed the existence of very high frequencies of consanguineous marriages, which varied from about 9% to 32%, suggesting the presence of a direct association between genetic diseases such as the SPOAN syndrome, genetic drift and inbreeding levels. This fact calls for the introduction of educational programs for the local populations, as well as for further studies aiming to identify and characterize other genetic conditions. Epidemiological strategies developed to collect inbreeding data, with the collaboration of health systems available in the region, might be very successful in the prospecting of genetic disorders.

This article comprehensively reviews zinc, the metallic element essential for body functioning. We review and highlight issues related to pharmacokinetics, the most important dietary sources, as well as its RDIs (Recommended Dietary Intakes). We also focus on signs and symptoms related with both a deficient intake and possible toxic effects derived from excessive intakes.

En este artículo se hace una revisión exhaustiva del zinc, elemento metálico esencial para el funcionamiento del organismo. Repasamos y reflejamos aspectos relacionados con la farmacocinética, con las fuentes dietéticas más importantes, así como las IDR (Ingestas Dietéticas Recomendadas) del mismo. También se hace mención a los signos y síntomas relacionados tanto con una ingesta deficiente, como con posibles efectos tóxicos, derivados de ingestas excesivas.

Objective: To satisfactorily implement the critical hazards and check points analysis. Setting: Tenerife Island Subjects: 15 industries Intervention: visits to gofio-manufacturing industries were done with the aim of giving advice to employers and workers, and thereafter, the intervention was assessed verifying the hygiene and sanitary conditions of the industry and the correct application of the established auto-control system. Results: After the advising intervention, we observed that certain parameters taken into account from the hygiene and sanitary perspective have been corrected, such as modifying the facilities to adapt them to in force regulations, or asking the suppliers to certify raw materials. With regards to food production process, the intervention was effective in such a way that more than have of the industries reduced the time of those phases with higher contamination susceptibility and to carry out the control registries that were established. Conclusions: All industries implemented the autocontrol system by means of registration charts of each one of the elaboration phases. - 86% of the industries have introduced more hygienic materials. - 60% implemented a reduction in intermediate times of production phases. - 26% perfmored some obsolete machinery replacement modernaizing the facilities.

Objetivo: Implantar de manera satisfactoria el Sistema de Análisis de Peligros y Puntos de Control Críticos. Ámbito: la Isla de Tenerife. Sujetos: 15 industrias. Intervención: se procedió realizando visitas a las fábricas productoras de gofio, con el fin de asesorar a los empresarios y operarios de las mismas, posteriormente se valoró la intervención verificando condiciones higiénico-sanitarias de la industria y la correcta aplicación del Sistema de Autocontrol establecido. Resultados: Después de la intervención de asesoramiento, se observa que determinados parámetros tenidos en cuenta desde el punto de vista higiénico-sanitario se han corregido, como modificar sus instalaciones para adecuarlas a las normativas vigentes o pedir que los proveedores certifiquen las materias primas. En cuanto al proceso de producción del alimento, la intervención fue efectiva para que más de la mitad de las industrias redujeran el tiempo de aquellas fases más susceptibles de contaminación y para que se llevaran a cabo los de registros de control que se establecieron. Conclusiones: Todas las industrias instauraron el sistema de autocontrol mediante cuadros de registros de cada una de las fases de elaboración. El 86% de las industrias han introducido materiales más higiénicos. Un 60% aplicaron una reducción en los plazos de tiempo intermedios en las fases de producción. Un 26% realizaron alguna sustitución de maquinaria obsoleta, modernizando las instalaciones.

Cutaneous manifestations in disseminated strongyloidiasis are infrequent but should raise the suspicion for its diagnosis. We retrospectively evaluated the charts of six patients with cancer and a proven diagnosis of disseminated strongyloidiasis. All patients had received prophylaxis with albendazole before starting antineoplastic therapy, which included high-dose steroids. They presented with septic shock, acute respiratory failure and characteristic purpuric periumbilical skin lesions. Strongyloides larvae were identified in tracheal aspirates (n=5), gastric aspirates (n=4), lung (n=2) and skin biopsies (n=2). All patients died despite antihelminthic therapy and intensive care support.

Arsenic (As) was isolated for the first time as a chemical element by Jabir-Ibn-Haiyanb in the year 776, and its name comes etymologically from the Greek arsenicon (masculine). It is gray in color and of a shining metallic appearance, has little metallic properties, is distributed widely in the universe and its toxicity depends on the different chemical forms and states of oxidation that it has: -3, 0, +3 and +5. The historical evolution of the toxicology is intimately united to the use of this nonmetal. At present, arsenical substances are used in industry, agriculture, cattle ranching, and medicine. For that reason, the sources of exposure of man to this metal are diverse; out standing are labor, food and medicaments. In this work a revision is made of the etiology, preventive measures, analysis, diagnosis and treatment of the poisoning by As.

El arsénico (As) fue aislado por primera vez como elemento químico por Jabir-Ibn-Haiyanb en el año 776 y su nombre procede etimológicamente del griego arsenicon (masculino). Es de color gris y apariencia metálica y brillante, posee escasas propiedades metálicas, se encuentra ampliamente distribuido en el universo y su toxicidad depende de las distintas formas químicas y estados de oxidación que posee: -3, 0, +3 y +5. La evolución histórica de la Toxicología está íntimamente unida al uso de este metaloide. Actualmente, las sustancias arsenicales se utilizan en la industria, en la agricultura y ganadería y en medicina. Por ello, las fuentes de exposición del hombre a este metal son diversas destacando la laboral, la alimentaria y la medicamentosa. En este trabajo se hace una revisión de la etiología, medidas preventivas, análisis, diagnóstico y tratamiento de las intoxicaciones por As.

This article is a transcription of an electronic symposium held on November 28, 2000 in which active researchers were invited by the Brazilian Society of Neuroscience and Behavior (SBNeC) to discuss the advances of the last decade in the peptide field with particular focus on central actions of prolactin and cholecystokinin. The comments in this symposium reflect the diversity of prolactin and cholecystokinin research and demonstrate how the field has matured. Since both peptides play a role in reproductive behaviors, particularly mother-infant interactions, this was the starting point of the discussion. Recent findings on the role of the receptor subtypes as well as interaction with other peptides in this context were also discussed. Another issue discussed was the possible role of these peptides in dopamine-mediated rewarding systems. Both prolactin and cholecystokinin are involved in mechanisms controlling food intake and somatic pain thresholds. The role of peripheral inputs through vagal afferents modulating behavior was stressed. The advent of knockout animals as potential generators of new knowledge in this field was also addressed. Finally, interactions with other neuropeptides and investigation of the role of these peptides in other fields such as immunology were mentioned. Knowledge about the central functions of prolactin and cholecystokinin has shown important advances. The role of these peptides in neurological and psychiatric syndromes such as anorexia, drug abuse and physiological disturbances that lead to a compromised maternal behavior seems relevant.

Impaired renal function was observed in sixteen Aotus nancymai 25 and 3 months following infection with the Uganda Palo Alto strain of Plasmodium falciparum. Decrease were noted in the clearance of endogenous creatinine, creatinine excretion, and urine volume while increases were observed in serum urea nitrogen, urine protein, urine potassium, fractional excretion of phosphorus and potassium, and activities of urinary enzymes. The results were suggestive of glomerulonephropathy and chronic renal disease.