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Lead is a nonessential metal and may be a coexposure in welding fumes. Preclinical data indicate lead may affect iron regulation. The current study investigated blood lead concentrations and their association with brain iron accumulation in workers with chronic welding fume exposure, with a focus on iron-rich subcortical regions of the cerebellum and basal ganglia. Occupational exposure, whole blood metal, and brain MRI data were obtained from 29 controls and 42 welders. R2* (1/T2*) and R1 (T1 relaxation rate) values were used to estimate brain iron and manganese content, respectively. Blood metals and brain R2* (in the red nucleus [RN], dentate nucleus, caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, and substantia nigra) were compared between groups. Associations between brain R2* values and exposure metrics were tested within each group, and analyses were adjusted for potential confounders. Welders had significantly higher levels of whole blood lead, manganese, iron, and copper. Welders also had higher R2* RN (p = .002), but not R1. A 2nd-order polynomial modeled the association between R2* RN and a long-term welding exposure metric. In welders, but not controls, R2* RN was associated positively with whole blood lead (r = 0.54, p = .003), and negatively with whole blood manganese (r = −0.43, p = .02). Higher blood Pb and lower blood Mn independently accounted for variance in high RN R2*. Together, these data suggest that higher RN R2* values may mark lead exposure in welders. Because lead is a known neurotoxicant, additional studies are warranted to confirm this finding, and ascertain its scientific and public/occupational health implications.

IntroductionMetal exposure has been associated with higher risk of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We examined the potential link between welding-related metal co-exposure (e.g., Fe, Mn, Pb) and AD-related structural and neurobehavioral metrics.MethodsSubjects with (welders; n=42) or without (controls; n=31) a history of welding were examined. Metal exposure was estimated by exposure questionnaires and whole blood metal levels. Brain metal accumulations were estimated by MRI R1 (Mn) and R2* (Fe) in the caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, red nucleus (RN), and hippocampus. AD-related structural differences were assessed by volume and diffusion tensor imaging metrics in the hippocampus, and neurobehavioral aspects by learning/memory task scores.ResultsCompared to controls, welders displayed higher blood metal levels (p’s Story Recall scores (p=0.049), but no difference in volume or domain-wise learning/memory performance (p’s>0.117). Group differences in hippocampal MD and Story Recall scores were greater with higher RN R2* values (p’sDiscussionWelders had hippocampal structural and learning/memory performance differences similar to those in AD-at-risk populations. These AD-like differences in welders may, in part, be linked to Pb exposure reflected by higher RN R2* levels at the brain level.

The monitoring of Aedes urban species is usually conducted by ovitraps, which can provide a good estimate of population density at low cost and relatively easy management. When the monitoring network is managed by many operators, as in the case of the Emilia-Romagna regional plan, it becomes necessary to develop a quality control methodology capable of highlighting the possible data incoherency and ensuring that the monitoring system provides reliable data. This paper presents the procedure applied in the egg counting phase as developed in Emilia-Romagna in order to check the data quality and validate the data before being included in the database. Several steps have been identified and protocols developed to serve quality control such as training of technicians and intralaboratory quality check, daily random double counting of Masonite paddles and interlaboratory periodic comparison. The qualitative test showed that all operators were able to distinguish Aedes albopictus eggs from other mosquito species eggs. The quantitative test showed significant differences between the 11 operators, with a relative error resulting in the range of 0.1–25.8%. The daily internal double counting of randomly extracted Masonite slides was performed by the coordinator showing a relative error in the range 2.47–2.63% without statistical differences, confirming a good alignment of the operators with the coordinator throughout the monitoring period. The interlaboratory comparison trial produced an average relative error of 7.20% showing a sufficient alignment between the three laboratories. Moreover a new time-saving methods in egg counting was developed and tested in real condition.

Author(s): Fornaroli, Riccardo; Agostini, Alessandra; Arnaud, Elena; Berselli, Alberto; Bettoni, Eugenia; Boggero, Angela; Borlandelli, Cristina; Cadrobbi, Giuseppi; Cason, Manuela; Castelli, Luciano; Cerea, Silvia; Contardi, Laura; Costa, Sara; Costaraoss, Silvia; Dallafior, Valentina; Dal Mas, Alessandro; Elvio, Francesco; Fioravanti, Marco; Fortino, Davide; Franceschini, Silvia; Fravezzi, Laura; Fuganti, Alessia; Galbiati, Matteo; Galimberti, Filippo; Genoni, Pietro; Gerbaz, Daniela; Lea, Alessia; Lucchini, Daniela; Manzieri, Anna Maria; Marchesi, Manuela; Monauni, Catia; Montanari, Paola; Morchio, Federica; Piovano, Silvia; Pizzochero, Natale; Raviola, Mara; Richieri, Filippo; Roatta, Valeria; Rocca, Daniela; Sarzilla, Attilio; Siciliano, Ornella; Testa, Paola; Tonna, Davide; Tumminelli, Marzia Enza; Turco, Franca; Vicquery, Luciana; Laini, Alex | Abstract: Rivers serve many societal functions and are one of the most intensively human influenced ecosystems worldwide, and, due to their importance, are included under the monitoring programs of the Water Framework Directive across Europe. Macroinvertebrates play an important role when monitoring running waters for the assessment of their environmental quality due to their reliability as bioindicators and utility in long-term studies. Macroinvertebrates do not constitute a systematic unit but they are formed by a set of different taxa, grouped according to taxonomic ranks, size and habitat preferences. They represent the base of the aquatic food chain, serving as a food source for amphibians, birds, reptiles, fish and humans, and contributing in the organic matter processing. Despite the large amount of data collected on Italian river macroinvertebrates and the increased interest in the study of this group, only few data are available for research scientist and managers. In this paper, we collected and homogenized knowledge on the presence, distribution and abundances of macroinvertebrates taxa inhabiting the River Po catchment (Northern Italy) in the last decade. The data set includes 130,727 records collected between 2007 and 2018 including 143 taxa of macroinvertebrates, mostly identified at family rank level. Moreover, the data set provides information on the geographic distribution of these families and their abundance by sub-catchment, altitude, meso- and micro-habitat.

The postural control is improved by implicit somatosensory information from lightly touching a rigid bar or explicit visual information about the postural sway. Whether these two additional sources provided at the same time further reduce the postural sway is still unknown. Participants stood on a force plate as quiet as possible lightly touching the bar while received or not visual feedback of the center of pressure position on a monitor screen. Postural sway reduced similarly with the light touch regardless of the additional visual feedback. The findings suggested that providing explicit visual feedback of the center of pressure does not increase the light touch effects on the postural sway. The importance of the implicit somatosensory information on postural control is discussed.

Background Mobility-related problems in older people may be relieved by the use of walking canes. However, the influence of the cane length on the postural stability of cane users has not been explored. Objective The objective of this study is to examine the influence of a single-point cane with different lengths on the postural sway of regular cane users, older women during two stance positions, with feet parallel and semi-tandem stance. Methods Eighteen older women, who used a single-point walking cane for at least 6 months, stood on a force plate with feet parallel or in semitandem position for 40 s. They always used a cane that was adjusted to one of three different lengths resulting from the distance between the wrist crease and the floor, named WF, or this distance plus 7.5 or 10 cm. Amplitude and speed of the centre of pressure (COP) and its components (rambling and trembling) in the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions and mean vertical force applied to the cane were compared across cane lengths. Results The amplitude and velocity of COP, rambling and trembling increased with the cane length. This effect was observed for the anterior-posterior with the feet parallel and in the medial-lateral direction with the semi-tandem position. More force was applied on the shorter cane (WF) in semitandem position. Conclusion Longer canes increased the postural sway in the older women and restricted the body weight loaded on the cane. Improper cane length influences the postural sway particularly in a semitandem stance of regular cane users. This may cause a negative impact on postural stability required in daily life activities. The current findings may contribute to the prescription of this assistive device for older adults.

The light touch (LT) of the fingertip on a rigid surface and the performance of a cognitive task (CT) affect the postural control. The current study examined the mechanisms involved in the control of postural sway (i.e., Rambling and Trembling components of the center of pressure) with the LT and CT performed individually or simultaneously. Thirteen adults stood on a force plate for 70 s while performed the LT, CT (visual searching of specific letters) or both tasks simultaneously. COP, Rambling, and Trembling mean amplitude and speed were computed. COP and Rambling trajectories were highly and Trembling moderately reduced with LT. The CT affected mainly the Rambling component, supporting the role of supraspinal control of postural sway. These findings suggested that while LT influences both supraspinal and peripheral control mechanisms, CT influences mostly the supraspinal mechanisms involved in postural sway. The combined effects of LT and CT improve the postural control with no negative consequences on CT performance.

O objetivo do presente trabalho é analisar uma proposta de prática sócio-educativa de uma ONG chamada Fundação EPROCAD, buscando verificar as potencialidades e limites de suas estratégias socializadoras para a constituição das formas de ser, pensar e agir de jovens das camadas populares enquanto cidadãos. Neste sentido procurou-se: 1) constatar que tipo de disposições de habitus políticos a maioria dos jovens pesquisados possuía, classificando-os a partir das categorias cidadão passivo; sujeito à intervenção e sanção de uma ordem político-jurídica que lhe atribui deveres e direitos, mas que não são exercidos, nem questionados, e/ou cidadão ativo; que incorpora em suas disposições a vontade de participação nas esferas públicas de poder, reivindicando direitos e inserindo-se nas relações sociais transformando-as; 2) analisar a ONG a partir de sua história, missão, ações, objetivos, relações institucionais etc, procurando desvendar sua proposta em termos de socialização política dos jovens; 3) examinar a prática educativa desta instituição a partir do conteúdo abordado, das estratégias/ metodologias utilizadas, dos sujeitos envolvidos e do tipo de relação estabelecida entre eles, buscando comparar esta prática com o discurso da organização; e, por fim, 4) comparar o tipo de disposições de habitus políticos dos jovens pesquisados com o tipo de cidadão que a instituição se propõe a formar, para entender a) as potencialidades e limites do poder de socialização política da ONG sobre os jovens e, finalmente, b) que tipo de cidadão ela contribui para formar efetivamente. A pesquisa de campo se deteve em torno de documentos institucionais, da observação de campo, de entrevistas e do desenvolvimento de uma atividade de dramatização com alguns jovens alunos da ONG. Foi possível verificar que a contribuição da ONG no processo socialização política dos jovens é marcada por uma série de contradições, contribuindo de forma tímida, mas efetiva, para que alguns jovens constituam-se como cidadãos que mesclam características ativas e passivas em suas formas de ser, pensar e agir politicamente no mundo. The objective of the present work is to analyze a proposal of practical social-educative of a NGO called Foundation EPROCAD, being searched to verify the potentialities and limits of its socializadoras strategies for the constitution of the forms of being, thinking and to act of young of the popular class while citizens. In this direction it was looked: 1) to evidence that type of politicians disposals of habitus the majority of the searched young heaved, classifying them from the categories passive citizen; subject to the intervention and sanction of a politician-legal order that attributes to duties and rights to it, but that they are not exerted, nor questioned, and/or active citizen; that it incorporates in its disposals the will of participation in the public spheres of being able, demanding right and inserting themselves in the social relations transforming them; 2) to analyze the NGO from its history, mission, actions, objectives, institucional relations etc, looking for to unmask its proposal in terms of politics socialization of the young; 3) to examine the educative practical of this institution from the boarded content, the strategies and methodologies used, the involved citizens and the type of relation established between them, searching to compare this practical with the speech of the organization; e, finally, 4) to compare the type of politicians disposals of habitus of the young searched with the type of citizen who the institution if considers to form, to understand a) the potentialities and limits of the NGO power of politics socialization on the young and, finally, b) what type of citizen it contributes to form effectively. The field research if withheld around institucional documents, field observation, interviews and the development of an activity of dramatization with some young pupils of the NGO. It was possible to verify that the contribution of the NGO in the process of politics socialization of the young is marked by a series of contradictions, contributing of form shy, but effective, so that some young consists as citizens who mix active and passive characteristic in its forms of being, thinking and to act politically in the world.

A permanência em pé por um determinado período de tempo exige que os indivíduos produzam periodicamente mudanças posturais, que podem favorecer a adoção de posturas mais assimétricas. Diante da deterioração do sistema de controle postural, é possível que idosos tenham uma dificuldade em permanecerem assimétricos em atividades do cotidiano. Em adição, variações no padrão de ativação muscular podem aumentar o gasto energético e levar os idosos a fadiga, o que resulta em sérias consequências como aumento no risco de quedas. Acredita-se que mudanças posturais durante a postura relaxada ocorram distintamente em adultos jovens e idosos, podem exigir esforços musculares variados e assim influenciar no gasto energético. O presente estudo investigou as assimetrias posturais, ativações musculares e gasto energético em adultos jovens e idosos saudáveis na postura ereta. Cinquenta e três jovens e 16 idosos permaneceram em diferentes posturas enquanto registrou-se as assimetrias na distribuição de peso ao longo do tempo (ADPm). Todos os idosos e 12 jovens submeteram-se ao registro eletromiográfico para análise dos padrões de ativação muscular de músculos da coxa e perna, e 7 indivíduos de cada grupo foram submetidos ao registro de gases para análise do gasto energético, consumo de oxigênio (VO2), quociente respiratório (R) e medida de frequência cardíaca. Os idosos apresentaram dificuldade na transferência de peso em posturas mais assimétricas e ambos os grupos apresentaram ligeira assimetria na postura ereta quieta (em torno de 5±4% de ADPm). Na postura relaxada a maior parte do tempo os indivíduos permaneceram em faixas de pequenas assimetrias, seguido de um tempo menor em posturas significativamente assimétricas. Em geral, as ativações musculares foram maiores em idosos, porém eles foram capazes de recrutar músculos de modo similar aos jovens. O aumento da atividade do músculo gastrocnêmio foi proporcional às posturas mais assimétricas em ambos os grupos. O gasto energético não sofreu grandes variações em condições de simetria ou assimetria posturais em jovens e idosos, porém parece que o aumento do gasto energético nos idosos está relacionado com o aumento da atividade muscular, o que poderia justificar a adoção de posturas menos assimétricas por parte desses indivíduos. Os resultados do presente estudo levantam a questão da possibilidade de haver maior gasto energético, principalmente em idosos, e abre novas possibilidades para que futuros estudos possam compreender a demanda metabólica envolvida na manutenção da postura ereta To remain standing for a certain period of time we periodically produce postural changes, which may favouring the adoption of more asymmetric postures. In face of the postural control system deterioration, it is possible that older people find it difficult to adopt more asymmetrical postures during daily life activities. In addition, changes in muscle activation pattern may increase energy cost to stand in asymmetric posture, which would lead to muscle fatigue and as consequence increase in fall risk in this population. Thus, postural changes during relaxed postures and the muscular demand necessary to perform such changes may differ among young and older adults, resulting in different energy cost. The present study investigated body weight asymmetries, muscle activations and energy cost in healthy young and elderly adults during sanding tasks with different constrains. Fifty-three young and sixteen elderly subjects remained at different positions while we recorded the body weight asymmetry over time (ADPm). All the elderly participants and twelve young adults undergone to electromyographic record of the thigh and leg muscles, and 7 subjects in each group to gas record in order to quantify the energy cost, oxygen consumption (VO2) and respiratory quotient (R) and registered heart rate. During quiet standing task, both age groups showed a slight and similar WDA (mean values around 5%). However, the elderly had difficulty in maintaining more asymmetric postures - they were less asymmetrical than young in tasks that required great WDA. In the relaxed position, most of the time the subjects remained in small asymmetry ranges, followed by a shorter period in more asymmetric postures. In general, muscle activation level was higher in the elderly, but they were able to recruit muscle in a similar way to young subjects. In addition, gastrocnemius activity increased proportionally to body weight support in both age groups - it was greater in the supportive limb in the most asymmetric postures. Although in this study the energy cost was not significantly affected by the asymmetry in body weight distribution in young and old individuals, it seems that the increased energy cost in the elderly is associated with an increase in muscle activity, which might explain the adoption of less asymmetric postures by these individuals. The results of this study raise the question of the possibility of higher energy expenditure in more asymmetric postures, especially in the elderly, and opens new possibilities for future studies to understand the metabolic demands during upright standing

We tested whether fasting insulin levels are associated with blood pressure in a large sample of obese children.Three hundred and fifty obese children (F:M ratio = 1.03) of 10.1 +/- 2.7 y of age (mean +/- SD) were consecutively enrolled at an Outpatient Paediatric Clinic. Obesity was diagnosed on the basis of a relative weight for age120% and hypertension on the basis of a systolic (SBP) or diastolic (DBP) blood pressure95th percentile for age after adjustment for height (Ht).Insulin was significantly higher in hypertensive (n = 202, 58%) than normotensive (n = 148, 42%) children (16 vs 14 microU mL(-1), geometric mean, p0.01, ANOVA) but the difference was not clinically relevant. Moreover, (log-transformed) insulin explained only 7 and 4% of SBP and DBP variance, respectively (p0.0001 for both) and this contribution disappeared after the confounding effects of age, weight or other anthropometric dimensions were taken into account (p = ns, ANCOVA).This study does not support the hypothesis of a clinically relevant association between fasting insulin and blood pressure in obese children.

INTRODUÇÃO: O surfe é uma modalidade que tem crescido bastante, aumentando o interesse nas pesquisas interessadas nos aspectos que podem influenciar no desempenho desses atletas, como, por exemplo, lesões, aptidão aeróbia e tempo de reação. Devido ao ambiente em constante mudança e de alta instabilidade exigido na prática do surfe, é necessário que os surfistas desenvolvam habilidades neuromusculares (agilidade, equilíbrio, força muscular e flexibilidade) para obter um melhor desempenho nesta atividade esportiva. No entanto, ainda são escassos os trabalhos científicos que se preocupam em investigar tais capacidades motoras em surfistas. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o controle do equilíbrio em surfistas amadores em relação aos praticantes de outras atividades físicas. MÉTODOS: Os participantes permaneceram sobre uma plataforma de força enquanto realizavam tarefas que envolviam privação visual (olhos abertos ou fechados) e perturbação somatossensorial (superfície firme ou uso de espuma), com covariação das condições experimentais. As seguintes variáveis foram analisadas: velocidade e raiz quadrática média (RMS) do deslocamento do centro de pressão nas direções anteroposterior (AP) e mediolateral (ML). RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostraram que não houve diferença entre os grupos, durante as condições experimentais, isto é, tanto surfistas quanto grupo controle oscilaram mais nas condições de olhos fechados e sobre espuma. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar de o surfe exigir, por parte do esportista, uma grande capacidade em controlar o equilíbrio, os resultados não revelaram relação entre a prática deste esporte e um melhor desempenho no controle do equilíbrio. Porém, devemos considerar o reduzido tamanho da amostra e o fato de a modalidade exigir um equilíbrio dinâmico, enquanto o estudo avaliou o equilíbrio estático. BACKGROUND: Surfing is a sport that has become considerably popular, which increased interest in research about the aspects that can influence on the performance of these athletes, such as injuries, aerobic fitness and reaction time. Due to the ever-changing environment and high instability required for surfing, the surfers must develop some neuromuscular skills (agility, balance, muscle strength and flexibility) to acquire better performance in this modality. Nevertheless, there are still few scientific studies concerned about the investigation of these motor skills in surfing. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the balance control in surfers compared to practitioners of other physical activities. METHODS: Participants remained on a force platform while performing tasks involving visual deprivation (eyes open or closed) and somatosensory disturbance (steady surface or use of foam), with covariation of experimental conditions. The following variables were analyzed: speed and root mean square (RMS) displacement of the center of pressure in the anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions. RESULTS: The results showed no difference between groups during the experimental conditions, that is to say, both surfers and the control group varied over the conditions of eyes closed and on foam. CONCLUSION: Although surfing requires the surfer to have great balance control, the results did not reveal a relationship between this sport and better performance in balance control. However, we must consider the small sample size and the fact that this sport requires dynamic balance, while the study evaluated static balance.

To assess the reliability of bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) for predicting total body water (TBW) and extracellular water (ECW) in children affected by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA).Thirty-nine children affected by JRA and 23 healthy children of similar age (11.0 +/- 3.6, range 3.0-19.0 y) were recruited for the study.TBW and ECW were measured by deuterium oxide and bromide dilution, respectively. Bioelectric impedance (Z) was measured at frequencies of 5, 50 and 100 kHz. The prediction of TBW and ECW from BIA was based on the impedance index (ZI = height2/Z, cm2/omega).TBW standardized per kg of body weight and ECW standardized per litre of TBW were significantly higher in JRA as compared to control patients (59.7 +/- 2.4 vs 57.7 +/- 2.7% and 44.5 +/- 4.6 vs 38.1 +/- 7.9%, with P0.005 and P0.0001, respectively). Moreover, intracellular water standardized per litre of TBW was significantly lower in JRA than in control subjects (55.5 +/- 4.6 vs 62.5 +/- 8.1, with P0.0001). In both controls and patients, the use of ZI at 5kHz offered the more accurate prediction of ECW. However, the use of ZI at 100 kHz did not offer a better prediction of TBW as compared to its value of 50 kHz. Control-generated formulae for predicting water compartments from BIA [TBW = 0.716 x ZI at 100 kHz-1.504, r = 0.934, s.e.e. = 2.2 l;:ECW = 0.430 x ZI5-3.652, r = 0.869(7) s.e.e. = 1.7 l] underestimated TBW and ECW in JRA patients. However, population-specific formulae [TBW (1) = 0.766 x ZI at 100 kHz-0.053, r = 0.939, s.e.e. = 2.8 l; ECW (l) = 0.399 x ZI at 5 kHz-0.283, r = 0.886, s.e.e. = 1.7 l] allowed an accurate prediction of TBW and ECW in JRA patients, taking into account their altered body water distribution.Altered water distribution impedes the use of formulae developed on healthy children to predict TBW and ECW from BIA and JRA patients. It is hypothesized that chronic inflammation and subclinical malnutrition may be responsible for the altered body water distribution of JRA patients. Traditional body composition models may require adjustments for use in JRA children due to their altered body hydration and water distribution.

The authors suggest transfer of teres major muscle for a detached and atrophic infraspinatus muscle in irreparable rotator cuff tears. Original studies were done on cadavers. In the period between November 1993 and June 1994, we used this technique on 6 patients. Those patients were evaluated with the Constant-Murley test and improved from an average of 40 points (minimum 27 to maximum 54) before surgery to an average of 62 points (minimum 47 to maximum 78) after surgery. Active external rotation recovered 35 degrees in abduction and 24 degrees in adduction. The teres major transferred on great tuberosity is able to restore continuity of the cuff and to depress the head of the humerus. It is important to re-educate the transferred muscle because it initially contracts more in adduction and internal rotation than in external rotation. One patient was very satisfied and 5 patients were satisfied after surgical treatment.

We studied the effects of cooking on the vitamin and mineral content of vegetables (vegetable soup, cauliflower), meat (beefsteak) and fish (sole) and those of cutting (fruit salad) and squeezing (orange juice) on the vitamin content of fruits. In cooked dishes, vitamin retention ranged between 0 (folic acid, all dishes) and 94% (retinol, sole) and mineral retention between 63 (copper, cauliflower) and 96% (iron, vegetable soup). In orange juice, ascorbic acid appeared to be protected from oxidation for at least 12 h as compared with fruit salad. Our study shows that preparation of foods with techniques available at home may be responsible for losses of vitamins and minerals. Further studies are needed to ascertain the effects of these losses on nutritional status.

To assess the reliability of bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) for predicting total body water (TBW) and extracellular water (ECW) in obese children.Comparison of five prediction models based on: (i) body weight (Wt), (ii) the impedance (Z) index (ZI = height2/Z), (iii) the association of Wt and ZI, (iv) the body surface area (SA) to impedance ratio (SA:Z) and, (v) the body volume (V) to impedance ratio (V:Z).Thirty obese and 25 control children of 11.2 +/- 1.8 y of age.TBW and ECW were assessed by deuterium and bromide dilution; Z was measured at frequencies of 5,50 and 100 kHz.In controls, Wt explained 11% more variance of TBW than ZI (r2 = 0.977, SEE = 0.9 I, CV = 3.8%) and the association of Wt and ZI improved the prediction of TBW only slightly (r2 = 0.982, SEE = 0.8 I, CV = 3.5%). The SA:Z and V:Z indexes explained 6 and 33% less variance of TBW respectively as compared to Wt alone. In obese subjects, ZI explained 4% more variance of TBW than Wt (r2 = 0.914, SEE = 1.8 I, CV = 6.4%) and the SA:Z ratio was the most accurate predictor of TBW (r2 = 0.959, SEE = 1.2 I, CV = 4.4%). However, the increase in the explained variance of TBW associated to the use of the SA:Z ratio was of only 1% as compared to the association of ZI and Wt. The V:Z ratio explained 9% less of variance of TBW as compared to ZI. In both control and obese subjects, the association of Wt and ZI offered the best prediction of ECW (r2 = 0.807, SEE = 1.564 I and r2 = 0.826, SEE = 1.035 I, respectively). However, the values of CV were much higher in controls than in obese children (17.5% vs 8.4%) owing to their lower ECW and greater variability in ECW%. ZI was the most accurate predictor of TBW on the pooled sample (n = 55; r2 = 0.910, SEE = 1.932 I; CV = 7.4%). However, it was a poor predictor of ECW on the same sample owing to its high CV (n = 55; r2 = 0.866, SEE = 1.806 I, CV = 17.0%).The body surface area to impedance ratio is the most accurate predictor of TBW in obese children but the association of ZI and Wt may be of more interest when BIA is used to estimate both TBW and ECW. The impedance index offers a good prediction of TBW but not of ECW in children with different levels of fatness.

Food processing has the potential to alter the nutrient quality of foods. This review deals with the effects of home-based cooking and storage practices on the micronutrient content of foods. It describes the effects of cooking, freezing and refrigeration on the vitamin and mineral content of meats, fish, fruit, vegetables and cereals. Based on this review, we suggest that the consumer should be aware of the possibility that losses in nutritional quality of foods may result from an improper use of cooking and storage techniques available at home.

Validation studies of bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) were performed in children with obesity, Duchenne muscle dystrophy and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. BIA allowed an accurate assessment of total body water in all groups (CV from 4.1 to 5.1%). However, the prediction of extracellular water by BIA was not always satisfactory (CV from 8.5 to 12.5%), being better in the groups of children with the lowest variability in body water distribution.