Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the colon, generating a crisis period associated with diarrhea and ulcerations. Stress plays a pivotal role in modulating the inflammatory response and aggravating progression. Different studies have shown that fasting reduces inflammation markers, and intermittent fasting decreases inflammatory markers such as IL-2, IL-6, and RCP. Goal: To evaluate the impact of intermittent fasting on a patient diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. A female patient underwent intermittent fasting (10/14) for eight weeks. Clinical tests were performed for blood count, RCP, biochemical profile, glycemia, and T4/TSH levels. Fecal calprotectin was determined. Clinical exams were assessed before and after intermittent fasting. Inflammation markers, such as CRP and calprotectin, were significantly reduced after eight weeks of intermittent fasting. The patient reported feeling better and was seizure-free during the following months when she continued fasting intermittently. Intermittent fasting allowed for a reduction in inflammation markers.

Background and Objectives: Congenital thyroid dyshormonogenesis is caused by alterations in the synthesis of thyroid hormones in a newborn. Additionally, 10 to 20% of these cases are hereditary, caused by defects in proteins involved in hormonal synthesis. One of the most common causes is mutations in the thyroid peroxidase (TPO) enzyme gene, an autosomal recessive disease. We aimed to detect mutations of the TPO gene in 12 Chilean patients with congenital hypothyroidism due to dyshormonogenesis (CHD) and to characterize these patients clinically and molecularly. Materials and Methods: Twelve patients under 20 years of age with CHD, controlled at San Juan de Dios Hospital in Santiago, Chile, were selected according to the inclusion criteria: elevated neonatal TSH, persistent hypothyroidism, and thyroid normotopic by imaging study. Those with deafness, Down syndrome, and central or transient congenital hypothyroidism were excluded. Blood samples were taken for DNA extraction, and the 17 exons and exon–intron junctions of the TPO gene were amplified by PCR. The PCR products were sequenced by Sanger. Results: Two possibly pathogenic mutations of the TPO gene were detected: c.2242G>A (p.Val748Met) and c.1103C>T (p.Pro368Leu). These mutations were detected in 2 of 12 patients (16.6%): 1 was compound heterozygous c.1103C>T/c.2242G>A, and the other was heterozygous for c.2242G>A. In the diagnostic confirmation test, both patients presented diffuse hyper-uptake goiter on thyroid scintigraphy and high TSH in venous blood (>190 uIU/mL). Conclusions: The frequency of patients with possibly pathogenic mutations in TPO with CHD was 16.6%. Its study would allow for genetic counseling to be offered to the families of affected patients.

Introduction: The Mediterranean diet is one of the most complete and adequate to maintain a correct nutritional status. In older adults, because of the physiological changes typical of old age, there is evidence of a change in their diet, increasing cardiovascular risk and altering their nutritional status. Objective: To analyze adherence to the Mediterranean diet and its association with nutritional status and cardiovascular risk in non-institutionalized older adults. Materials and Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study in non-institutionalized older adults in Chile. Nutritional status was determined by BMI, cardiovascular risk was determined by waist circumference. To determine adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MDI), the ID-Chile test was used, which contains 22 questions, evaluating the frequency of consumption of 14 food groups. For statistical analysis, the p value was calculated using Pearson's chi2. The level of significance was established at 5% (p<0.05). Results: 61% of the participants were women, with a predominance of 72.13 years, with a greater representation of obesity and overweight (31.15%). 39% of the participants were men, with an average age of 72.33 years and mostly with normal weight or overweight (35.89%). Significant differences were observed between men and women considering weight (p<0.052). No significant relationship was observed with variables such as age, BMI, adherence to the Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular risk. A significant relationship was observed when comparing adherence to the Mediterranean diet with nutritional status (p<0.027) and cardiovascular risk (p<0.032). Conclusion: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is a factor associated with better nutritional status and reduced cardiovascular risk in the elderly population. It is important to massify the food consumption of this lifestyle to improve the quality of life of older adults.

Food waste is a global issue affecting society from environmental, nutritional, and social perspectives. In collaboration with the National Board of Preschools, fruit and vegetable waste generated during the preparation of lunch was quantified in four preschools in the Metropolitan area of Santiago in Chile. This study was conducted in four preschools, two in the Western area of Santiago and two in the Eastern area, of which two hold environmental quality certifications. Over a five-day period, the weight of raw materials and waste from vegetables (peels) and fruit (pomace) were measured. Percentages of vegetable and fruit post-cleaning losses and waste were evaluated. Vegetable loss exceeded 20% in 31% of the preschools, primarily from carrots and potatoes. Fruit losses were higher, with pears accounting for the most significant waste, recorded in 75% of the study centers. No differences in vegetable loss was found between centers, while variations were observed for fruit. Preschools with environmental quality certifications wasted less onions (p = 0.016) but more pears (p = 0.036). There is higher fruit loss than vegetable loss, with onions and tomatoes being the least wasted. Possessing an environmental quality certification does not guarantee a significant reduction in overall losses. Handling and storage conditions may play a key role in minimizing losses. Further studies are needed to provide evidence that can guide improvements in Chile's National Board of Preschools services, aiming for a more sustainable lunch preparation processes.

In Chile, like in other Latin American countries, cancer incidence is rising rapidly with a massive social and economic burden, and this situation has worsened after the COVID19 outbreak. In 1986 the Chilean government created two antineoplastic drugs for adults (PANDA) and children (PINDA). Later, several cancers, cancer prevention plans and palliative services were covered by the GES/AUGE plan. However, the lack of a national cancer register, disparities in coverage and centralisation of specialists and oncologic infrastructure made the creation of a new National Cancer Plan necessary. Civil society, particularly non-governmental organisations (NGOs), pushed for a National Cancer Law as the legal framework for the National Cancer Plan. Their role is crucial to expose the patient perspective. Likewise, the collaborative work with clinic specialists, scientific societies, government and stakeholders is essential to face a multifactorial disease such as cancer. In this article, we analyse the role of civil society, particularly NGOs, in developing the Chilean National Cancer Plan and the National Cancer law. Through public consultation (including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology-COLAB platform, telephone and online surveys), we show that the community's main concerns were treatment financing, coverage, transparency of public policies, integral cancer care, health promotion and prevention. Historically, NGOs have played an assistant role; however, this is changing towards a more preponderant role in public policies, as seen in other developed countries, giving the strength to the civil society to collaborate in the construction of patient-centred cancer policies. Key words: Cancer policies, Cancer law, NGO, Chile, civil society.

Background and Objectives: Human breast milk contains essential nutrients for infant growth, as well as bioactive molecules such as exosomes and miRNAs, which play a key role in the maturation of the infant’s immune system. Breast milk from mothers of preterm and term infants shows significant differences in its nutrient contents and bioactive components. This preliminary study aimed to compare the expressions of 13 immunomodulatory microRNAs present in breast milk from the mothers of preterm and term infants. Materials and Methods: Breast milk samples were obtained from 5 breastfeeding mothers of term infants and 5 breastfeeding mothers of preterm infants. Every mother provided morning, noon, and evening milk samples. The total protein, fat, and lactose concentrations were measured. In addition, miRNAs were extracted from the exosomal fraction of each sample. The expression levels of the 13 miRNAs were compared and analyzed at the three time points each day. Results: The preterm infants’ milk had higher average fat and lactose levels. There were no differences in the total protein concentrations. The expressions of miRNAs in the preterm infants’ milk showed significantly higher variations in miR-17-5p, miR-24, miR-29b, miR-30a-5p, and miR-146a. The other miRNAs did not show variations. Interestingly, the highest miRNA expression was only observed in breast milk from the nighttime. The morning and midday samples showed distinct expression patterns. Conclusions: We identified the immunomodulatory microRNA components and their changes in expression levels at different times of the day, as well as those most strongly expressed in breast milk consumed by preterm infants.