Total Ingestion Research Articles

Survival of rats with Walker 256 Tumor after oral suplementation of arginine in the diet

Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the effect of L-arginine at 8% on extended survival of rats with Walker 256 tumor. Method: The study is experimental, randomized, double blind. The animals for this experiment were divided in 3 groups. The first group (placebo) received gavage with water, seven days before the inoculation of Walker 256 tumor. The second group received 8% L-arginine solution of caloric ingestion 48 hours after the tumoral inoculation. The third group received 8% L-arginine solution of total caloric ingestion, initiated seven days before the tumoral inoculation. Results: The third group, supplemented seven days before the tumoral inoculation, presented greater extended survival (21 days, p=0.0001) when compared to animals from the other two. Animals supplemented 48 hours after the tumoral inoculation presented greater extended survival (20 days, p=0.0001) when compared to the placebo group (19 days, p=0.0001). Conclusion: The results suggest that both groups supplemented with 8% L-arginine presented beneficial results in respect to extended survival when compared to the placebo group, and better yet if the amino acid was administered before the tumoral inoculation.

The Impact of Transgenic Wheat Expressing Gna (snowdrop lectin) on the AphidsSitobion avenae,Schizaphis graminum, andRhopalosiphum padi

This study investigated the impact of transgenic wheat expressing Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA), commonly known as snowdrop lectin, on three wheat aphids: Sitobion avenae (F.), Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), and Rhopalosiphum padi (L.). We compared the feeding behavior and the life-table parameters of aphids reared on GNA transgenic wheat (test group) and those aphids reared on untransformed wheat (control group). The results showed that the feeding behaviors of S. avenae and S. graminum on GNA transgenic wheat were affected. Compared with the control group, they had shorter initial probing period, longer total nonprobing period, shorter initial and total phloem sap ingestion phase (waveform E2), shorter duration of sustained ingestion (E (pd) > 10 min), and lower percentage of phloem phase of the total observation time. Moreover, S. graminum made more probes and had a longer total duration of extracellular stylet pathway (waveform C). The fecundity and intrinsic rate of natural increase (r(m)) of S. avenae and S. graminum on the transgenic wheat were lowered in the first and second generations, however, the survival and lifespan were not affected. The effects of the GNA expressing wheat on S. graminum and S. avenae were not significant in the third generation, suggesting rapid adaptation by the two aphid species. Despite the impact we found on S. avenae and S. graminum, transgenic GNA expressing wheat did not have any effects on R. padi.

Cancer Risk in Pakistan Due to Natural Environmental Pollutants

Wheat is a staple food in Pakistan. Production of wheat is increased with extensive use of phosphate based fertilizers in agricultural fields. Activity mass concentration of primordial radionuclides due to use of phosphate fertilizers in soil enhances the external gamma dose and due to the consumption of wheat food grown on these soils also increases the internal dose. Different types of soil, including saline and normal soil in the districts of Lahore and Faisalabad in Punjab were selected for this study. The technique of gamma ray spectroscopy was used for the determination of s levels of radioactivity 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and the nuclear fallout 137Cs in soil, wheat and wheat made products. Radioactivity in flour, chapatti, bread, nan and rusk was determined. Maximum activity was found in the chapatti sample of highly fertilized soil. Calculations were made for the determination of external absorbed dose in air from soil and internal absorbed dose in human body due to the consumption of wheat and wheat products. The average value of wheat consumption of 140 kg was used in the estimation of ingestion dose. The value of the ingestion dose due to highly fertilized soil was 206.1 μSv/Yr, while the total ingestion dose due to unfertilized farm’s food was 146.3 μSv/Yr. Risk assessment to man due to ingestion of wheat was also calculated. The cancer risk assessment due to ingestion of wheat food grown on highly fertilized soils comes as additional sufferings of 14 persons in cancer per million.

Short-Term Intake of Fish Protein Contained in Fish Sausage Improved Lipid Profiles in Hypercholesterolemia Patients: Baseline and Post-Intervention Effects

Fish sausage is a common food in Japan. It is mainly made from surimi, which contains a high amount of fish protein. Although it has been reported that the administration of fish protein reduces blood total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides in experimental animals, it has not been studied whether the intake of fish protein improves blood cholesterol profiles in humans. In the present study, male subjects (n = 20) with fasting blood LDL-cholesterol (140–179 mg/dL) were enrolled. Subjects consumed a total of 225 g of fish sausage daily for 8 weeks, and the total ingestion dose of fish protein was 13.5 g/day. Blood total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and atherogenic index were significantly reduced (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, and p < 0.01, respectively), and HDL-cholesterol was significantly increased (p < 0.01) by fish sausage intake after 4 and/or 8 weeks of intervention without side effects. These results imply that the short-term intake of fish protein achieved by the eating of fish sausage improves cholesterol profiles in hypercholesterolemia subjects.

Food web flows through a sub-arctic deep-sea benthic community

The benthic food web of the deep Faroe–Shetland Channel (FSC) was modelled by using the linear inverse modelling methodology. The reconstruction of carbon pathways by inverse analysis was based on benthic oxygen uptake rates, biomass data and transfer of labile carbon through the food web as revealed by a pulse-chase experiment. Carbon deposition was estimated at 2.2 mmol C m −2 d −1. Approximately 69% of the deposited carbon was respired by the benthic community with bacteria being responsible for 70% of the total respiration. The major fraction of the labile detritus flux was recycled within the microbial loop leaving merely 2% of the deposited labile phytodetritus available for metazoan consumption. Bacteria assimilated carbon at high efficiency (0.55) but only 24% of bacterial production was grazed by metazoans; the remaining returned to the dissolved organic matter pool due to viral lysis. Refractory detritus was the basal food resource for nematodes covering ∼99% of their carbon requirements. On the contrary, macrofauna seemed to obtain the major part of their metabolic needs from bacteria (49% of macrofaunal consumption). Labile detritus transfer was well-constrained, based on the data from the pulse-chase experiment, but appeared to be of limited importance to the diet of the examined benthic organisms (<1% and 5% of carbon requirements of nematodes and macrofauna respectively). Predation on nematodes was generally low with the exception of sub-surface deposit-feeding polychaetes that obtained 35% of their energy requirements from nematode ingestion. Carnivorous polychaetes also covered 35% of their carbon demand through predation although the preferred prey, in this case, was other macrofaunal animals rather than nematodes. Bacteria and detritus contributed 53% and 12% to the total carbon ingestion of carnivorous polychaetes suggesting a high degree of omnivory among higher consumers in the FSC benthic food web. Overall, this study provided a unique insight into the functioning of a deep-sea benthic community and demonstrated how conventional data can be exploited further when combined with state-of-the-art modelling approaches.

Radiation dose to members of public residing around uranium mining complex, Jaduguda, Jharkhand, India

Uranium mining activities in the Jaduguda region of Jharkhand state, India have been carried out for the last five decades. Radioactive releases from mines, ore processing facility and tailings pond may increase the natural radiation dose to members of the public residing around the complex. It is, therefore, imperative to investigate the radiological condition around the uranium mining complex and assess the dose received by them. In the present study, it was estimated that the average radiation dose from all exposure pathways to the public living in villages around the mining complex is 2.5 mSv y(-1) and around 50 % contributed due to inhalation of radon and its progeny. The external radiation dose due to terrestrial and cosmic activity is estimated to be 1.1 mSv y(-1), which is 40 % of the total dose and ingestion dose contributes only 3% to the total dose.

Nutritional value of silk flower hay for lambs

It was evaluated four levels of silk flower (Calotropis procera S.W.) hay (SFH) as a substitute of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) hay (SBH) in diet for lambs. Nutritional value of silk-flower hay was determined based on aparent digestibility and on metabolic, productive and economical performance of Santa Inês lambs. It was used twenty-four castrated males at 15.72 ± 1.92 kg body weight randomly distributed in four diets with silk-fklower and sorghum hay ratios (100:0, 66:33, 33:66, 0:100), and supplemented with a concentrate mixture based on 50% roughage:50% concentrate (weight/weight). Increase in the levels of silk-flower hay in the diet reduced weight gain and nutrient intake and it increased feed conversion and digestibility coeficients of all the nutrients. Nitrogen balance was similar in all levels of silk-flower hay, although there was a tendency of reduction in nitrogen retention at levels 66% and 100% of silk-flower hay. At the levels 0 and 33% of silk-flower hay in the diet, dry matter ingestion (170 and 180 g/day), daily average weight gain (84 and 89 g/kg0.75)and feed conversion (4.99 and 5.02) were satisfactory. Silk-flower hay can represent up to 16.5% of the total food ingestion or 33% of the roughage in diet for lambs.

Modeled Estimates of Soil and Dust Ingestion Rates for Children

Daily soil/dust ingestion rates typically used in exposure and risk assessments are based on tracer element studies, which have a number of limitations and do not separate contributions from soil and dust. This article presents an alternate approach of modeling soil and dust ingestion via hand and object mouthing of children, using EPA's SHEDS model. Results for children 3 to <6 years old show that mean and 95th percentile total ingestion of soil and dust values are 68 and 224 mg/day, respectively; mean from soil ingestion, hand-to-mouth dust ingestion, and object-to-mouth dust ingestion are 41 mg/day, 20 mg/day, and 7 mg/day, respectively. In general, hand-to-mouth soil ingestion was the most important pathway, followed by hand-to-mouth dust ingestion, then object-to-mouth dust ingestion. The variability results are most sensitive to inputs on surface loadings, soil-skin adherence, hand mouthing frequency, and hand washing frequency. The predicted total soil and dust ingestion fits a lognormal distribution with geometric mean = 35.7 and geometric standard deviation = 3.3. There are two uncertainty distributions, one below the 20th percentile and the other above. Modeled uncertainties ranged within a factor of 3-30. Mean modeled estimates for soil and dust ingestion are consistent with past information but lower than the central values recommended in the 2008 EPA Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook. This new modeling approach, which predicts soil and dust ingestion by pathway, source type, population group, geographic location, and other factors, offers a better characterization of exposures relevant to health risk assessments as compared to using a single value.

Optimization of selenoprotein P and other plasma selenium biomarkers for the assessment of the selenium nutritional requirement: a placebo-controlled, double-blind study of selenomethionine supplementation in selenium-deficient Chinese subjects

The intake of selenium needed for optimal health has not been established. Selenoproteins perform the functions of selenium, and the selenium intake needed for their full expression is not known. This study sought to determine the intake of selenium required to optimize plasma selenoprotein P (SEPP1) and to compare SEPP1 with other plasma selenium biomarkers. A 40-wk placebo-controlled, double-blind study of selenium repletion was carried out in 98 healthy Chinese subjects who had a daily dietary selenium intake of 14 micro g. Fourteen subjects each were assigned randomly to daily dose groups of 0, 21, 35, 55, 79, 102, and 125 micro g Se as l-selenomethionine. Plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity, SEPP1, and selenium were measured. A biomarker was considered to be optimized when its value was not different from the mean value of the subjects receiving larger supplements. The SEPP1 concentration was optimized at 40 wk by the 35- micro g supplement, which indicated that 49 micro g/d could optimize it. GPX activity was optimized by 21 micro g (total ingestion: 35 micro g/d). The selenium concentration showed no tendency to become optimized. The present results indicate that SEPP1 concentration is the best plasma biomarker studied for assessing optimal expression of all selenoproteins, because its optimization required a larger intake of selenium than did GPX activity. On the basis of the selenium intake needed for SEPP1 optimization with adjustments for body weight and individual variation, ap 75 micro g Se/d as selenomethionine is postulated to allow full expression of selenoproteins in US residents. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00428649.

Dietary Modulation of Drosophila Sleep-Wake Behaviour

BackgroundA complex relationship exists between diet and sleep but despite its impact on human health, this relationship remains uncharacterized and poorly understood. Drosophila melanogaster is an important model for the study of metabolism and behaviour, however the effect of diet upon Drosophila sleep remains largely unaddressed.Methodology/Principal FindingsUsing automated behavioural monitoring, a capillary feeding assay and pharmacological treatments, we examined the effect of dietary yeast and sucrose upon Drosophila sleep-wake behaviour for three consecutive days. We found that dietary yeast deconsolidated the sleep-wake behaviour of flies by promoting arousal from sleep in males and shortening periods of locomotor activity in females. We also demonstrate that arousal from nocturnal sleep exhibits a significant ultradian rhythmicity with a periodicity of 85 minutes. Increasing the dietary sucrose concentration from 5% to 35% had no effect on total sucrose ingestion per day nor any affect on arousal, however it did lengthen the time that males and females remained active. Higher dietary sucrose led to reduced total sleep by male but not female flies. Locomotor activity was reduced by feeding flies Metformin, a drug that inhibits oxidative phosphorylation, however Metformin did not affect any aspects of sleep.ConclusionsWe conclude that arousal from sleep is under ultradian control and regulated in a sex-dependent manner by dietary yeast and that dietary sucrose regulates the length of time that flies sustain periods of wakefulness. These findings highlight Drosophila as an important model with which to understand how diet impacts upon sleep and wakefulness in mammals and humans.

Human Ingestions of Veterinary Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors

Background: Deracoxib and firocoxib are cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors approved for veterinary use, but not for use in humans. Information on the outcome of human ingestions of these drugs is not readily available. Objective: To describe human ingestions of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors reported to poison centers. Methods: All human ingestions of deracoxib and firocoxib reported to Texas poison centers during 2003–2009 were identified, and the distribution of ingestions by demographic and clinical factors was determined. Final medical outcome was determined by poison center staff, based on adverse clinical effects that are observed or expected. Results: Of 72 total ingestions, 56.9% involved deracoxib and 43.1% involved firocoxib. One tablet or less was ingested in 87.7% of cases in which the number of tablets was known. The patients were 62.5% female, 51.4% aged 0–5 years, 6.9% aged 6–19 years, and 41.7% aged 20 years or more. The patient was managed on site in 94.4% of the cases. The distribution of cases by final medical outcome was 44.4% no effect, 18.1% not followed but judged nontoxic, 34.7% not followed but minimal effects possible, and 2.8% effects probably not related to the ingestion. Conclusions: Human ingestions of deracoxib and firocoxib reported to Texas poison centers were relatively uncommon. Such ingestions usually involved 1 tablet or less. Cases followed to known outcome did not result in serious outcomes and were frequently managed on site.

Radionuclide Contents and Physicochemical Water Quality Indicators in Stream, Well and Borehole Water Sources in High Radiation Area of Abeokuta, Southwestern Nigeria

Water samples from streams, hand-dug wells and boreholes in high background radiation areas in Abeokuta, Nigeria have been collected in order to determine the activity concentrations of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th in the samples as well as their physicochemical characteristics. These parameters were evaluated in order to deter-mine the quality of these water sources to the local population, who use these water resources for drinking and domestic activities. Measurements of radioactivity in the water samples were carried out using γ-ray spectroscopy, while standard chemistry methods were used for the physicochemical determinations of these quality parameters. A total of fourteen representative water samples from streams (7), boreholes (4), and hand dug wells (3) were collected for study. The determined activity concentrations of the radionuclides in these samples were used to calculate the effective dose to the population from due to ingestion of and drink-ing the locally available water. The total annual ingestion effective doses were found to vary between 115.00 ± 1.15μSv and 1362.30 ± 438.02 μSv. The physicochemical parameters where found to be lower than the prescribed standard safe limits in the water sources except for the nitrate and phosphate levels which were particularly high in the water samples from boreholes and hand-dug wells. The radiation effective ingestion dose due to ingestion of water from dug wells and streams was found to be higher than the dose due to inges-tion of water from borehole sources in the studied areas. The results obtained in this study, have been taken as a baselines for physicochemical parameters and activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in water samples within Odeda and Obafemi-owode parts of Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Feeding by the cyclopoid copepod Oithona similis on the microplankton assemblage in the Oyashio region during spring

Onboard incubation experiments were conducted to examine the feeding rates and selectivity of the cyclopoid copepod Oithona similis on natural assemblages of microplankton during the spring bloom in the Oyashio region. O. similis cleared ciliates at higher rates (2.8–11.9 mL copepod−1 d−1) than dinoflagellates (1.4 mL copepod−1 d−1), with no detectable ingestion of diatoms. Clearance increased with ciliate size, reaching maximum rates at a size of ~35 μm equivalent spherical diameter. The total ingestion rates of protozooplankton (ciliates and dinoflagellates) by O. similis ranged between 24.8 and 41.5 ngC copepod−1 d−1, which exceeded by about 2–3 times the metabolic expenditure of the copepod. Applying the ingestion rates to abundance data of O. similis, we estimated that the copepod population removed each day 0.1–0.4% of the protozooplankton standing stock. These results indicate that protozooplankton, especially aloricate ciliates, are an important food resource available to O. similis even under bloom conditions in the Oyashio region, though the predation by the copepod did not have a significant impact on protozooplankton assemblages.

Validation of a method for ionospheric electron density reconstruction by means of vertical incidence data during quiet and storm periods

A preliminary validation of the technique developed using the NeQuick ionospheric model and the «effective ionization parameter» Az, based on vertical total electron content data ingestion, was carried out in a previous study. The current study was performed to extend the analyzed conditions and confirm the results. The method to validate this technique is based on a comparison between hourly F2 peak values measured with Vertical Incidence (VI) soundings and those calculated with the new technique. Data corresponding to different hours and seasons (equinox, summer solstice, and winter solstice) during the period 2000-2003 (high and medium solar activity conditions) were compared for all available ionosonde stations. The results show a good agreement between foF2 and hmF2 values obtained with the new technique and measurements from vertical incidence soundings during quiet and storms conditions.

Pattern of oseltamivir ingestions reported to Texas poison centers

During serious influenza outbreaks, the number of oseltamivir exposures reported to poison centers might be expected to increase. This investigation describes the pattern of oseltamivir ingestions reported to Texas poison centers during 2000-2008. Of 298 total ingestions, 91.9% occurred in December-March, 76.8% involved patients aged 0-19 years, 72.5% resulted from therapeutic error, 90.0% were managed on-site, and 80.0% had no effect. The most frequently reported adverse clinical effects were vomiting (7.5%), nausea (3.8%), and abdominal pain (3.8%). Oseltamivir ingestions were reported to Texas poison centers primarily during periods of influenza outbreak. Most involved children, resulted from therapeutic error, and were managed on-site without serious outcome.

The cold‐water coral community as hotspot of carbon cycling on continental margins: A food‐web analysis from Rockall Bank (northeast Atlantic)

We present a quantitative food‐web analysis of the cold‐water coral community, i.e., the assembly of living corals, dead coral branches and sediment beneath, associated with the reef‐building Lophelia pertusa on the giant carbonate mounds at ~800‐m depth at Rockall Bank. Carbon flows, 140 flows among 20 biotic and abiotic compartments, were reconstructed using linear inverse modeling by merging data on biomass, on‐board respiration, δ15N values, and literature constraints on assimilation and growth efficiencies. The carbon flux to the coral community was 75.1 mmol C m−2 d−1 and was partitioned among (phyto)detritus (81%) and zooplankton (19%). Carbon ingestion by the living coral was only 9% of the carbon ingestion by the whole community and was portioned among (phyto)detritus (72%) and zooplankton (28%). Carbon cycling in the community was dominated by suspension‐ and filter‐feeding macrofauna associated with dead coral branches. Sediment traps mounted on a bottom lander trapped 0.77 mmol C m−2 d−1 (annual average), which is almost two orders of magnitude lower than total carbon ingestion (75.1) and respiration (57.3 mmol C m−2 d−1) by the coral community. This discrepancy is explained in two ways: the coral community intercepts organic matter that would otherwise not settle on the seafloor, and through their action as ecosystem engineers, the increased turbulence generated by the coral framework and organic‐matter depletion in the boundary layer augment the influx to the coral community. A comparison of macrofaunal biomass and respiration data with soft sediments reveals that coral communities are hot spots of biomass and carbon cycling along continental margins.

Ingesta voluntaria de líquido y cambio en el gusto con opción de dos bebidas durante entrenamiento en ciclismo

El propósito de este estudio fue determinar si existe una mayor ingesta voluntaria al tener dos bebidas diferentes disponibles (agua o bebida deportiva) de forma simultánea, en comparación con un solo tipo de bebida a la vez. 20 ciclistas y triatlonistas recreativos realizaron tres sesiones de laboratorio cada uno (TBS= 23°C, HR=70%), en orden aleatorio y separadas al menos por una semana: una, solamente agua disponible, otra, sólo bebida deportiva y otra con las dos bebidas disponibles simultáneamente. Cada sesión consistía de 100 minutos de ejercicio, con 20 min. de calentamiento; ocho intervalos de 5-min., alta intensidad (85-95% FCmax) recuperando 2.5 min. (60-70% FCmax) entre ellos y una recuperación final de 20 min. (60-70% FCmax). La ingesta fue "ad libitum" y se midió el volumen de líquido ingerido cada 20 min., así como el peso corporal y el gusto para ambas bebidas al principio y al final de cada sesión. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en el volumen ingerido entre las sesiones "bebida deportiva" y "ambas bebidas", mientras que la ingesta en la sesión "solo agua" sí fue menor que las otras dos (p=0.009). También, una menor cantidad de bebida deportiva fue ingerida durante la sesión con ambas disponibles con respecto a la sesión con bebida deportiva (p=0.009). Durante la sesión con ambas bebidas, los participantes bebieron mayor cantidad de bebida deportiva (p

The Effect Of Sodium And Carbohydrate In A Rehydration Food On Subsequent Exercise Performance

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of two rehydration beverages on fluid restoration and metabolism on subsequent exercise following exerciseand heat-induced dehydration. Twelve male subjects were dehydrated by ~3 % of body mass with exercise and heat exposure. In a randomly assigned, counterbalanced design, subjects were rehydrated at room temperature with either 175 ml of chicken noodle soup (SOUP: Campbell Soup Company, Camden, NJ) or an artificially sweetened placebo (CON) at the beginning of the 120 min rehydration period and 20 min later. Water was ingested every 20 min during the remaining 100 min of rehydration. Soup contained 161.0 mmol/l Na, 5.3 mmol/l K, and 32.6 g total carbohydrate. CON contained 14.4 mmol/l Na, 16.0 mmol/l K, and no carbohydrate. Total fluid ingestion was matched with body fluid loss during dehydration. After rehydration, subjects performed 30 min of steady state exercise at 68% VO2peak. Subjects then performed a time trial in which they accumulated as rapidly as possible the amount of work equal to 30 min of exercise at 70% VO2peak in a thermo-neutral environment (25 C and 40% relative humidity). There was no significant difference in percent recovery of body mass during rehydration (CON: 79.4 ± 3.3%; SOUP: 80.9 ± 3.4%). Time trial performance was significantly improved in SOUP (30.6 ± 0.8 min) compared with CON (33.2 ± 1.4 min; p=0.031). The rate of carbohydrate oxidation tended to be higher in SOUP (2.33 ± 0.09 g/min) compared with CON (2.18 ± 0.11 g/min; p=0.076). No differences in heart rate or ratings of perceived exercise were found during post-rehydration exercise. These results

Alcohol consumption in pupils of Compulsory Secondary Education

The consumption of addictive substances by adolescents is a growing problem with a considerable social and health impact, with alcohol being the drug of greatest consumption. The aim of this paper is to analyse the consumption of alcohol in pupils attending Compulsory Secondary Education in our health care milieu in order to understand the dimension of the problem in our context. Randomized distribution, stratified by school year, of a semi-quantitative questionnaire on the frequency of consumption of alcoholic drinks. Distributed to 406 pupils in Compulsory Secondary Education: 194 males and 212 females, with ages between 13 and 16 years. Alcohol consumption increased with school year (p<0.05), with differences existing between the two sexes. From figures for consumption in the 1st year of Compulsory Secondary Education of 27.8% in males and 11.4% in females (p<0.05), figures were reached in the 4th school year of 81.5% in males and 54.7% in females (p<0.05). The regular consumption of alcohol (at least once a week) in males rose from 8.4% (1st school year) to 53.7% (4th school year); and in females from 5.8% (1st school year) to 24.6% (4th school year). In the 4th year of Compulsory Secondary Education, amongst the males who consumed alcohol, 18.2% did so on a daily basis, 47.7% at the weekend, and the remaining 34.1% occasionally; and amongst the females, 6.9% did so on a daily basis, 37.9% at the weekend, and the remaining 55.2% occasionally. In the 4th year of Compulsory Secondary Education, the average quantity of alcohol ingested by the males at the weekend was 130.7 grams, and by the females 98.8 grams. In both sexes, the proportional contribution to the total ingestion of alcohol was in the majority of cases by consumption of spirits (46.1% in males and 55.4% in females) and beer (30.9% in males and 31.6% in females). The prevalence of alcohol consumption amongst Secondary School pupils is very high, especially starting in the 3rd year of Compulsory Secondary Education in males and the 4th school year in females. On the completion of studies in Compulsory Secondary Education, there is a generalised consumption of alcohol amongst our adolescents that is mainly circumscribed to the weekend, although there is an important and relevant number of pupils who refer to daily consumption.

Pattern of Lisdexamfetamine Ingestions Reported to Texas Poison Centers

Background: Little information exists on lisdexamfetamine ingestions reported to poison centers. Objective: To describe the pattern of lisdexamfetamine ingestions reported during the first year of their approved use to Texas poison centers. Methods: The distribution of total cases of lisdexamfetamine ingestions with and without coingestants reported to Texas poison centers from July 2007–June 2008 was determined for the following selected variables: drug formulation, reported total dose ingested, patient sex and age, exposure site, and circumstances of the exposure. Results: Of 187 total ingestions, the total dose ingested was reported for 59% (mean 221.4 mg; range 5–3,080). Fifty-eight percent of the patients were male and 38% were aged 6–12 years. Thirty-eight percent of the ingestions occurred as a result of therapeutic error, 26% were due to general unintentional reasons, and 12% were suspected attempted suicide; 11% of the patients called the poison center due to an adverse reaction to lisdexamfetamine. Of the 133 (71%) cases without coingestants, 53% were managed on site (ie, not a healthcare facility) and 79% resulted in or were expected to result in, at most, minor effects or minimal toxicity. The most frequently reported adverse clinical effects among cases without coingestants were tachycardia (14%), agitation (14%), vomiting (6%), and nausea (5%). Conclusions: The majority of lisdexamfetamine ingestions reported to Texas poison centers did not involve coingestants. Of those without coingestants, most were managed on site and did not result in serious medical outcomes.