Determination of inflammation by TNF-alpha and IL-10 levels in obese children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: childhood obesity is one of the major health problem worldwide. Obesity is associated with low-level chronic inflammation resulting from inflammatory cytokine release in white adipose tissue. We aim to specify inflammatory markers tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in children and adolescents to determine their relationship with obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: forty obese patients and 46 controls were included in the study from the pediatric clinic. Blood samples from the study group were centrifuged, and the sera were stored at -80 °C after separation. Serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-10 were determined using Human ELISA kits for TNF-alpha and IL-10. RESULTS: serum samples from 86 children, including 45 girls (52.3 %) in the study group, were analyzed for TNF-alpha and IL-10 levels. TNF-alpha levels in the obese and control groups were 1.04 ± 0.79 and 0.60 ± 0.72 pg/ml, respectively (p = 0.010). Also, IL-10 levels in the obese and control groups were 0.76 ± 0.62 and 1.54 ± 0.71 pg/ml, respectively (p < 0.001). Gender was not identified as a factor for serum TNF-alpha and IL-10 levels (p = 0.281 and p = 0.477, respectively). Moreover, white blood cell (WBC) and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were higher in the obese patient group than in the control group (p = 0.002 and p = 0.010, respectively). CONCLUSION: TNF-alpha levels were higher than control in obese patients and it was important in terms of showing that obesity triggers inflammation in the body. IL-10 levels, which inhibit inflammation, were lower in obese patients than controls.

Impact of climate change and land cover dynamics on nitrate transport to surface waters.

The study investigated the impact of climate and land cover change on water quality. The novel contribution of the study was to investigate the individual and combined impacts of climate and land cover change on water quality with high spatial and temporal resolution in a basin in Turkey. The global circulation model MPI-ESM-MR was dynamically downscaled to 10-km resolution under the RCP8.5 emission scenario. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used to model stream flow and nitrate loads. The land cover model outputs that were produced by the Land Change Modeler (LCM) were used for these simulation studies. Results revealed that decreasing precipitation intensity driven by climate change could significantly reduce nitrate transport to surface waters. In the 2075-2100 period, nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) loads transported to surface water decreased by more than 75%. Furthermore, the transition predominantly from forestry to pastoral farming systems increased loads by about 6%. The study results indicated that fine-resolution land use and climate data lead to better model performance. Environmental managers can also benefit greatly from the LCM-based forecast of land use changes and the SWAT model's attribution of changes in water quality to land use changes.

Assessment of renal function in obese and overweight children with NGAL and KIM-1 biomarkers / Valoración de la función renal en niños con sobrepeso y obesidad con las moléculas NGAL y KIM-1

Aim and background: the incidence of obesity has increased among children, and obesity has been considered an independent risk factor for chronic kidney disease. We aimed to determine the degree of kidney function impairment by evaluating urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: in total, 15 obese, 26 overweight, and 26 control adolescents aged 10 to 16 years were enrolled into the study. Urine samples were evaluated for NGAL and KIM-1 levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. We investigated the association between obesity and related comorbidities with urinary NGAL and KIM-1 excretion. RESULTS: no significant differences were noted between the obese, overweight, and control groups in urinary NGAL and KIM-1 excretion (p = 0.327 and p = 0.917, respectively). In the obese and overweight groups urinary NGAL levels were 50.39 [30.88-74.22] in females and 26.67 [23.24-45.59] in males (p = 0.013). Also, urinary NGAL levels were increased in obese and overweight adolescents with LDL dyslipidemia at 64.12 [30.98-114.32] as compared to those without LDL dyslipidemia: 39.51 [25.59.56.37] (p = 0.024). Furthermore, a correlation was observed between insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance levels with the NGAL/creatinine ratio in the overweight group (r = 0.515; p = 0.008, and r = 0.483; p = 0.014, respectively). Such correlation was not found in the obese group. CONCLUSION: the effect of obesity on renal function could not be determined in children. A longer exposure may be required for obesity-induced disruption of renal function in children. Renal function may be disrupted by dyslipidemia in obese adolescents. Furthermore, obesity impaired renal function in female adolescents. The normalization of these urinary markers as related to urine creatinine should be discussed

INTRODUCCIÓN: la incidencia de la obesidad en la edad infantil ha aumentado. Se considera la obesidad como un factor de riesgo independiente para el desarrollo de la enfermedad renal crónica. El objetivo de este estudio fue valorar el grado de alteración de la función renal evaluando los niveles urinarios de NGAL y KIM-1. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: el estudio incluyó a 15 adolescentes con obesidad, 26 con sobrepeso y 26 controles sanos. Las edades de los participantes estaban entre los 10 y los 16 años. Los niveles de NGAL y KIM-1 en orina se determinaron mediante un kit ELISA. Se investigó la asociación entre la obesidad y su comorbilidad con la excreción urinaria de NGAL y KIM-1. RESULTADOS: no se encontraron diferencias significativas en la excreción urinaria de NGAL y KIM-1 entre los sujetos con obesidad, los sujetos con sobrepeso y los controles sanos (p = 0,327 y 0,917, respectivamente). En el grupo con sobrepeso y obesidad, los niveles de NGAL en las niñas fueron de 50,39 (30,88-74,22), mientras que en los niños fueron de 26,67 (23,24-45,59) (p = 0,013). Para los sujetos con dislipemia de LDL, el nivel de NGAL fue de 64,12 (30,98-114,32) frente a 39,5 (25,59-56,37) entre los que no la tenían (p = 0,024). Se encontró correlación entre los nivles de insulina, el HOMA-IR y la ratio NGAL/creatinina en el grupo con sobrepeso (r = 0,515; p = 0,008, y r = 0,483; p = 0,014, respectivamente). En el grupo con obesidad no se encontró dicha correlación. CONCLUSIONES: se precisa una duración más prolongada para encontrar alterada la función renal en los niños con exceso de peso. La función renal puede alterase por la dislipemia en el caso de los adolescentes con obesidad. La función renal se afecta más en las adolescentes femeninas. En el artículo se discute la normalización de estos marcadores urinarios con la creatinina en orina

Association between vitamin D levels and cardiovascular risk factors in obese children and adolescents / Asociación entre los niveles de vitamina D y factores de riesgo cardiovascular en niños y adolescentes obesos

Background and aim: Childhood obesity is associated with an increased risk of chronic disease. We aimed to determine the association between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular risks in obese children. Method: The studied children were selected from obese children who were followed up at obesity clinic, aged 6-17 years. Basic demographic information and laboratory data were collected retrospectively from hospital records. Results: A total of 310 students (178 [57.4%] girls) were evaluated for 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH] D) levels in late winter/spring. The prevalence rates of vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency were 62.3%, 34.5%, and 3.2%, respectively. Insulin resistance was observed in 146 (47.1%) children; the frequencies of dyslipidemia and hypertension were 31% and 19.4%, respectively. The mean atherogenic dyslipidemia ratio was higher in the defi cient group (p = 0.049). Inverse correlations of 25(OH) D levels were observed with homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance values (r = -0.146, p = 0.010). The mean values of 25(OH) D (ng/mL) were lower in girls (12.15 ± 6.60) than in boys (16.48 ± 8.69) (p < 0.05) and in children with hypertension (11.92 ± 5.48) than in those without (14.50 ± 8.24) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is observed more frequently than expected in obese children and adolescents. Our findings indicate that low 25(OH) D levels are associated with insulin resistance. Vitamin D deficiency could contribute to the morbidities associated with childhood obesity, such as insulin resistance or diabetes mellitus, increased cardiovascular/cardiometabolic risks, atherogenic dyslipidemia, and hypertension (AU)

Introducción y objetivo: la obesidad infantil se asocia a un riesgo aumentado de enfermedades crónicas. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la relación entre la deficiencia en vitamina D y el riesgo cardiovascular en niños obesos. Método: se seleccionaron niños tratados en la clínica de obesidad, con edades entre 6 y 17 años. Los datos de laboratorio y la información demográfica básica se recogieron de forma retrospectiva a partir de las historias clínicas. Resultados: se evaluaron 310 estudiantes (178, 57,4% mujeres) midiendo los niveles de vitamina D a finales de invierno y en primavera. La prevalencia de deficiencia en vitamina D, insuficiencia y suficiencia fueron 62,3%, 34,5% y 3,2% respectivamente. Se encontró resistencia insulínica en 146 niños (47,1%); mientras que la frecuencia de dislipemia e hipertensión fue de 31% y 19,4%, respectivamente. La razón de aterogenicidad debida a dislipemia fue mayor en el grupo deficiente (p = 0,049). Se encontró una correlación inversa entre los niveles de 25-OH-D y los valores de HOMA (r = -0,146; p = 0,01). Los valores medios de vitamina D (ng/Ml) fueron inferiores en niñas (12,15 ± 6,60) que en niños (16,48 ± 8,69) (p < 0,05) y en niños con hipertensión (11,92 ± 5,48 vs. 14,50 ± 8,24 en normotensos) (p < 0,05). Conclusiones: se encontró una prevalencia de deficiencia en vitamina D en niños y adolescentes obesos superior a lo esperado. Nuestros hallazgos indican que los niveles bajos de vitamina D se asocian con resistencia insulínica. La deficiencia en vitamina D podría contribuir a las morbilidades que se asocian a la obesidad infantil, como la resistencia insulínica o la diabetes mellitus, el aumento del riesgo cardiovascular, la dislipemia y la hipertensión (AU)

Personality traits and common psychiatric conditions in patients with seborrheic dermatitis

Abstract Background Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin disease in which psychological factors play a central role in its onset, exacerbation and remission. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate personality traits and common psychiatric conditions in patients with SD. Methods Outpatients who were admitted to the Bozok School of Medicine Department of Dermatology complaining of SD and who volunteered for study were included. Symptom Checklist 90 – Revised (SCL-90-R) and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire – Revised Short Form (EPQ-RSF) were administered before treatment to 50 patients who fulfilled the criteria for inclusion in the study. Results compiled from the 50 subjects were compared to a control group that was comprised of 50 healthy volunteers. Results Of the 50 patients that were included in the study, 25 were female and 25 were male. The Global Symptom Index (GSI; Z = -6.96, P < 0.001), Somatization (Z = -6.59, P < 0.001), Depression (Z = -7.11, P < 0.001), and Anxiety (Z = -6.64, P < 0.001) subscales of the SCL-90-R were evaluated. Statistically significantly higher scores were obtained from patients with SD in comparison with the control group on all of these subscales. In addition, the EPQ-RSF Neuroticism subscale was statistically significantly higher (Z = -4.99, P < 0.001) in patients with SD. Discussion Our results showed that common psychiatric conditions are considerably frequent in SD patients. More importantly, neurotic personality characteristics were much more frequent in these patients. These findings suggest SD to be a psychosomatic disorder that requires a multi-disciplinary approach.