Sleep disturbances and affecting factors in young children with food allergy and their mothers.

OBJECTIVE: To examine sleep patterns and sleep disturbance of children with food allergy (FA) and their mothers. METHODS: The food allergy group included 71 children with mean age, 2.97±1.52 years, and 58 control children were recruited the study. Mothers of children completed the Childhood Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in order to evaluate sleep disturbance in both children and themselves. Depressive symptomatology of mothers of children with or without food allergy was assessed with Beck-Depression Inventory II (BDI-II). RESULTS: The mean total scores of CSHQ was 49.33±7.93 (range=31-68) in the FA and 42.39±6.43 (range=30-62) in controls. The total CSHQ scores were significantly higher in children with FA than in controls (p=0.002). The total PSQI score was significantly higher in mothers of children with FA than in mothers of children without FA (7.09±3.11 vs 5.15±2.59, p<0.001) indicating that the mothers of children with FA had worse sleep quality. The mothers of children with FA had more depressive symptoms than mothers of children without FA. The mean total scores of BDI-II were 10.10±6.95 in mothers of children with FA and 7.78±6.64 in mothers of children without FA (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: The presence of a food allergy in a child may be associated with a deterioration in sleep quality in children and mothers as well as increased depressive symptoms in mothers.

Headache deteriorates the quality of life in children with chronic spontaneous urticaria.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life, which is impaired in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), is influenced by comorbid mental disorders. Headaches could be another comorbid mental disorder that affects quality of life in children with CSU. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of headaches on urticaria symptoms, disease activity and quality of life in children with CSU. METHODS: A total of 83 patients with CSU were enrolled in the study and were separated into two groups as those with or without headache. Demographic and clinical characteristics were studied with the Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7), Urticaria Control test (UCT) and Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CU-Q2QoL). The headache questionnaire designed according to the Department of International Classification of Headache Disorders, second edition (ICHD-II) was used and VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) and NRS (Numerical Rating Scale) were used to assess the pain measurement. In patients diagnosed with migraine, the paediatric Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (PedMIDAS) was applied. RESULTS: CU-QoL total scores were significantly higher in patients with CSU with headache than in those without headache (p=0.015). In the five domains of CU-QoL, impact of daily life activities domain and sleep problems domain had higher scores in CSU with headache (p=0.008, 0.028, respectively). There was no significant relationship between UCT, UAS and CU-QoL and headache severity (p<0.05). No differences were found between the groups in respect of duration of urticaria, UAS7 and UCT. CONCLUSION: Headache may be an important factor that affects and impairs quality of life in children with chronic urticaria.

Evaluation of intraocular pressure and retinal nerve fiber layer, retinal ganglion cell, central macular thickness, and choroidal thickness using optical coherence tomography in obese children and healthy controls.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity affects many organ systems. There have been few studies on the ophthalmological effects of obesity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes in the ophthalmological parameters in obese children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 61 obese and 35 age-and gender-matched control subjects. Obesity was defined as body mass index-standard deviation score (BMI-SDS) >2 SD. Children with a BMI-SDS between >-1 SD and <+1 SD whilst otherwise healthy were recruited as the control group. All clinical and ophthalmological investigations were performed by a pediatric endocrinologist and an experienced ophthalmologist. The ophthalmological examination and intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement was performed. The average retinal fiber layer (RNFL), retinal ganglion cell (RGC), central macular thickness (CMT), cup-to-disk ratio (C/D), and central choroidal thickness (CT) were measured using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. The anthropometric, biochemical, and ophthalmological parameters of the obese and control subjects were compared. RESULTS: IOP was higher in the obese group compared to the control group (P = 0.008), whereas the average RNFL was lower in the obese group (P = 0.035). There was a negative correlation between the average RNFL and BMI-SDS (P = -0.044) and waist-hip ratio (P = 0.015). There was no statistically significant difference between the RGC, C/D, CMT, and CT of the obese and control groups. IOP was negatively correlated with HOMA-IR, body fat mass, body fat percentage, and diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: In the present study, which evaluated obesity and its effects on ophthalmological parameters, the elevated IOP and decreased RNFL thickness detected in the obese group may suggest an increased risk for these patients of developing glaucoma at a younger age. Therefore, regular ophthalmological examinations of obese children are essential for prompt diagnosis and appropriate management.

The relationship between family functioning and the crime types in incarcerated children.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the relationship between the family functioning and crime types in incarcerated children. METHODS: One hundred eighty two incarcerated children aged between 13-18 years who were confined in child-youth prisons and child correctional facilities were enrolled into this descriptive study. Participants completed demographic questions and the McMaster Family Assessment Device (Epstein, Baldwin, & Bishop, 1983) (FAD) with face to face interviews. RESULTS: The crime types were theft, assault (bodily injury), robbery, sexual assault, drug trafficker and murder. The socio-demographic characteristics were compared by using FAD scale, and growing up in a nuclear family had statistically significant better scores for problem solving and communication subscales and the children whose parents had their own house had significantly better problem solving scores When we compared the crime types of children by using problem solving, communication and general functioning subscales of FAD, we found statistical lower scores in assault (bodily injury) group than in theft, sexual assault, murder groups and in drug trafficker group than in murder group, also we found lower scores in drug trafficker group than in theft group for problem solving and general functioning sub-scales, also there were lower scores in bodily injury assault group than in robbery, theft groups and in drug trafficker than in theft group for problem solving subscale. CONCLUSIONS: The communication and problem solving sub-scales of FAD are firstly impaired scales for the incarcerated children. We mention these sub-scales are found with unplanned and less serious crimes and commented those as cry for help of the children.

Êxpression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the azoospermic human testis.

Azoospermia, which is the absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate, is not a rare cause of male infertility. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is a calcium-independent NOS, which is present in the testis and involved in spermatogenesis, and apoptosis of Sertoli and germ cells. Twenty idiopathic infertile men presenting nonobstructive azoospermia were enrolled in this study, and testicular sperm extraction procedures were performed. Tissue extracts were dissected, and the fluid samples were investigated to determine the presence of spermatozoa. Histologic evaluation of the spermatozoa-present samples revealed that seminiferous tubules were normal and were lined by Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells. However, in the spermatozoa-absent samples, the diameter of the seminiferous tubules was small, and Sertoli-cell-only syndrome was determined in most of the tubules. iNOS expression was very weak in Sertoli cells, germ cells, and in Leydig cells in the spermatozoa-present group. In the spermatozoa-absent group, the immunostaining was very intense in Sertoli and Leydig cells. Electron microscopy findings were supported the histologic results. In conclusion, complete germ cell loss and intense expression of iNOS in the Sertoli and Leydig cells in the spermatozoa-absent groups of azoospermic human testis suggest an essential role of iNOS in spermatogenesis.

Expression of insulin-like growth factor in the placenta of intrauterine growth-retarded human fetuses.

Many cases of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) are the result of placental and fetal tissue insufficiency. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is known to play a role in placental and fetal growth. An immunocytochemical study was performed to localize IGF-I peptides in human placenta and umbilical cords of normal (n = 3) and IUGR (n = 3) fetuses. The peripartum fetal conditions were evaluated as well. Immunoreactive IGF-I was detected in the cytotrophoblast, syncytiotrophoblast, amnion, endothelial cells of fetal capillaries and in the decidua in both normal and IUGR placental tissue. A more robust immunostaining and increased numbers of positively stained cells were found in the decidua of IUGR placenta (p < 0.001). Intense immunostaining was also found in endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts of the umbilical vein. IGF-I immunoreactivity was also present in stroma (Hofbauer cells and/or fibroblasts) of IUGR villi. Our results indicate that expression of IGF-I is high in specific sites in placenta and umbilical cords, which indicates a paracrine and/or endocrine function. The increased expression of IGF-I in placenta of IUGR fetuses indicates its involvement in restoring normal growth by means of a positive feed-back mechanism.

Localization of neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) immunoreactivity in adult rat tissues.

Neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) mediates homophilic adhesion between cells and heterophilic adhesion between cells and extracellular matrix in a Ca2+-independent manner. N-CAM is widely expressed during development and plays a crucial role in cell division, migration, and differentiation, but its expression is restricted in adults. The distribution of N-CAM immunoreactivity in adult rat tissues was investigated in the present study. N-CAM immunoreactivity was present in the nervous system in the molecular layer of the cerebellum, ependymal cells surrounding the central canal, axons of the white matter, and in Lamina X of the gray matter of the spinal cord. N-CAM immunoreactivity also was found in autonomic nerves. In the digestive system, N-CAM immunoreactivity was found in the stratified squamous epithelium and nerve plexus of the esophagus, glandular cells of the stomach and pylorus, lamina propria, and epithelium of the villi of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. N-CAM immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the secretory cells of the adenohypophysis, islets of Langerhans, and acinar cells of the exocrine pancreas. Alveolar cells of the lung were also N-CAM immunoreactive. In the urinary system, N-CAM immunoreactivity was seen in the proximal convoluted tubules of the kidney. In the male reproductive system, N-CAM immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the nerve plexus around the urethral epithelium and in the nerve fibers around the smooth muscle cells of the corpus cavernosum penis. In the visual system, N-CAM immunoreactivity was seen in the epithelial cells of the corpus ciliaris. Cornea and lens epithelium also showed positive immunoreactivity. Our results suggest that cells in many tissues and organs of the adult rat synthesize N-CAM.

Sleep disturbances and affecting factors in young children with food allergy and their mothers

OBJECTIVE: To examine sleep patterns and sleep disturbance of children with food allergy (FA) and their mothers. METHODS: The food allergy group included 71 children with mean age, 2.97 ± 1.52 years, and 58 control children were recruited the study. Mothers of children completed the Childhood Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in order to evaluate sleep disturbance in both children and themselves. Depressive symptomatology of mothers of children with or without food allergy was assessed with Beck-Depression Inventory II (BDI-II). RESULTS: The mean total scores of CSHQ was 49.33 ± 7.93 (range = 31-68) in the FA and 42.39 ± 6.43 (range = 30-62) in controls. The total CSHQ scores were significantly higher in children with FA than in controls (p = 0.002). The total PSQI score was significantly higher in mothers of children with FA than in mothers of children without FA (7.09 ± 3.11 vs 5.15 ± 2.59, p < 0.001) indicating that the mothers of children with FA had worse sleep quality. The mothers of children with FA had more depressive symptoms than mothers of children without FA. The mean total scores of BDI-II were 10.10 ± 6.95 in mothers of children with FA and 7.78 ± 6.64 in mothers of children without FA (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: The presence of a food allergy in a child may be associated with a deterioration in sleep quality in children and mothers as well as increased depressive symptoms in mothers

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Headache deteriorates the quality of life in children with chronic spontaneous urticaria

Background: Quality of life, which is impaired in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), is influenced by comorbid mental disorders. Headaches could be another comorbid mental disorder that affects quality of life in children with CSU. Objectives: To investigate the effect of headaches on urticaria symptoms, disease activity and quality of life in children with CSU. Methods: A total of 83 patients with CSU were enrolled in the study and were separated into two groups as those with or without headache. Demographic and clinical characteristics were studied with the Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7), Urticaria Control test (UCT) and Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CU-Q2QoL). The headache questionnaire designed according to the Department of International Classification of Headache Disorders, second edition (ICHD-II) was used and VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) and NRS (Numerical Rating Scale) were used to assess the pain measurement. In patients diagnosed with migraine, the paediatric Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (PedMIDAS) was applied. Results: CU-QoL total scores were significantly higher in patients with CSU with headache than in those without headache (p = 0.015). In the five domains of CU-QoL, impact of daily life activities domain and sleep problems domain had higher scores in CSU with headache (p = 0.008, 0.028, respectively). There was no significant relationship between UCT, UAS and CU-QoL and headache severity (p < 0.05). No differences were found between the groups in respect of duration of urticaria, UAS7 and UCT. Conclusion: Headache may be an important factor that affects and impairs quality of life in children with chronic urticarial

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The effects of ovulation induction on ovarian epithelium dysplasia scores and Ki67 expression: an experimental study on rats.

We aimed to evaluate the effects of ovulation induction on Ki67 expression and dysplasia scores of female rat ovaries. Twenty female Wistar rats were randomized either to receive 150 IU/kg human menopausal gonadotropin on estrous day 2 and 75 IU/kg human chorionic gonadotropin on the day of preestrous (induction group, n= 10) or saline as placebo on the corresponding days (control group, n= 10). After five estrous cycles bilateral oophorectomy was performed to compare the Ki67 expression and dysplasia score of the ovarian epithelium. The mean number of the cells that stained positive for Ki67 was 159.6 +/- 101.92 in the follicles, 283.4 +/- 42 in the corpus luteum, and 151 +/- 75.1 in the stroma of the study group compared to 41.8 +/- 35.6 (P= 0.03), 43.2 +/- 28.3 (P= 0.007), and 55.6 +/- 18.6 (P= 0.01), respectively, in the control group. The mean number and rate of cells that stained positive for Ki67 in the epithelium was significantly higher in the ovulation induction group (758 +/- 71 and 63 +/- 1.6%, respectively) compared to the control group (386 +/- 23, P < 0.001; and 60 +/- 1.1%, P < 0.001; respectively). The mean dysplasia score was significantly higher (9.6 +/- 1.3) in the study group compared to the control group (5.08 +/- 0.9, P < 0.001). Ovulation induction in rats resulted in increased Ki67 expression and dysplastic features in the ovarian epithelial cells.

Protective effects of vitamin E and selenium on the renal morphology in rats fed high-cholesterol diets.

The histopathological effects of cholesterol and the protective effects of vitamin E and selenium (Se) on renal histology were examined in Sprague-Dawley rats. Light-microscopic evaluation of the renal cortex revealed: glomerular fibrosis, cellular and mesangial proliferation, capillary obliteration and cholesterol crystals in the tubular lumina of the cholesterol-fed group. These results suggest that oxidated LDL (O-LDL) is a cytotoxic factor which stimulates mesangial cell and matrix proliferation. Ultrastructurally, small and large lipid vacuolization in intracapillary lumina, adhesion of epithelial foot processes, mesangial foam cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes were seen in the cholesterol-fed group. In the groups fed cholesterol + vitamin E, cholesterol + Se and cholesterol + vitamin E + Se, morphological improvements were observed. It appeared that an excess in O-LDL, reactive oxygen species and growth factors might play an important role in the pathogenesis of glomerulosclerosis. In addition, it was concluded that antioxidant therapy may prevent LDL oxidation and generation of free radicals.