Children Exposed to IPV: Impact of Multiple Father Figures.

PURPOSE: Exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) has been associated with adverse infant developmental outcomes; however, the influence of the number of father-figures (abusive vs non-abusive) has on young infants' risk for neurodevelopmental delays has not been examined. PROCEDURES: A secondary data analysis was conducted from the Domestic Violence Enhanced Perinatal Home Visits (DOVE) study of abused pregnant women (N = 239) and their infants' neurodevelopment from baseline through 12-months postpartum. RESULTS: Although all women reported decreased violence from baseline to 12 months postpartum, there was a significant main effect between baseline IPV scores and infant risk for developmental delay at 12 months (ß = .19; p < .05) and a significant interaction between baseline IPV scores and multiple partner categories (ß = .89; p < .01). Women in the single abusive partner category demonstrated a negative association between baseline IPV and 12-month infant risk scores (ß = -.56; p < .01). Whereas women in the mixed and multiple abusive partner groups demonstrated a positive association between IPV and infant risk scores (ß = .32; p < .05). CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that an infant's neurodevelopment is impacted by exposure to violence in the home. Additional research is needed to examine the full impact, not only the effects of single and/or abusive partners on child development, but also the possible effect of multiple non-abusive partners on development.

Associação entre índice de massa corporal e circunferência da cintura em idosas, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil / Association between body mass index and waist circumference in elderly women, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Introdução: O processo de envelhecimento causa alterações funcionais como redução da massa magra e aumento de tecido adiposo principalmente entre as mulheres. Por isso, para determinar o estado nutricional de idosas é necessário associar o índice de massa corporal a outras variáveis antropométricas que expressem distribuição da gordura corporal. Objetivo: Avaliar o estado nutricional de idosas e verificar a associação entre índice de massa corporal e circunferência da cintura. Metodologia: Estudo transversal com 50 idosas integrantes do Programa Terceira Idade Vitalidade e Cidadania, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. As medidas antropométricas avaliadas foram peso, estatura, circunferência da cintura e índice de massa corporal. A análise estatística foi efetuada por meio dos softwares PASW 17.0 e Epi Info 6.0. Resultados: Na classificação do estado nutricional, 66% das idosas apresentavam excesso de peso. Entre as idosas com excesso de peso, 100% apresentaram valores de circunferência da cintura elevados. Todavia, 64,3% das mulheres eutróficas também apresentaram essa medida de adiposidade central aumentada. Conclusões: O diagnóstico nutricional adequado do grupo geriátrico requer a associação de indicadores antropométricos para identificar com maior acurácia os distúrbios nutricionais em idosas (AU)

Introduction: The aging process causes functional changes such as reduced lean body mass and increased adipose tissue mainly among women. Therefore, to determine the elderly nutritional status is necessary to associate the body mass index to other anthropometric variables that express body fat distribution. Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status of elderly women and the association between body mass index and waist circumference. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 50 elderly women members of the Third Age Program Vitality and Citizenship, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Anthro - pometric measurements were weight, height, waist circumference and body mass index. Statistical analysis was performed using the software SPSS 17.0 and Epi Info 6.0. Results: In the nutritional status classification, 66% of the women were overweight. Among overweight women, 100% had high waist circumference. However, 64.3% of women with normal weight also had the measure of central adiposity increased. Conclusions: The right nutritional diagnosis in geriatric group requires the association of anthropometric indicators to identify more accurately all nutritional disorders in the elderly women population (AU)

Autoimmune hepatitis related autoantibodies in children with type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The frequency of Type 1 diabetes (T1D)-related autoantibodies was determined in children with autoimmune hepatitis. However, the incidence of autoimmune hepatitis related autoantibodies in children with T1D has been poorly investigated. The aim of the present cross sectional prospective study was to determine the occurrence of autoimmune hepatitis-related autoantibodies in children with T1D. METHODS: Children with T1D following in diabetic clinic in our center were screened for existence of liver related autoantibodies from November 2010 to November 2011. The patients' sera were analyzed for the existence of autoantibodies such as anti-nuclear antibody, anti-smooth muscle antibody, and anti-Liver Kidney microsomal antibody, using enzyme linked immunoassay and indirect immunofluorescence methods. A titer of anti-nuclear antibody ≥1/40 was considered positive and titer of < 1/40 was considered negative. Anti-liver kidney microsomal antibody titer of < 3 U/ml was considered negative, 3 - 5 U/ml borderlines, and > 5 U/ml was considered positive. RESULTS: 106 children with T1D have been examined over a one-year period: age ranges between 8 months to 15.5 years, sixty two patients were females. Autoantibody screen revealed a girl with positive anti-liver kidney microsomal antibody (1%) and 8 children had positive anti-nuclear antibody (7.5%), without clinical, biochemical or radiologic evidence of liver disease. None of the patients had positive smooth muscle antibody. IN CONCLUSION: Anti-liver kidney microsomal antibody is rarely found in sera of children with T1D; the clinical significance of which is unknown.

Is there an association between type 1 diabetes in children and gallbladder stones formation?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A number of studies in adults have evaluated the prevalence of gallstones in the diabetic population and showed a significant association with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes. The pediatric literature is limited to a single small case series. We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate for the presence of association between T1D in children and gallstones formation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Children diagnosed with T1D in a diabetic clinic have been examined for existence of gall bladder stone formation from November 2008 through November 2009. All have been subjected to the following: History, physical examination, blood tests (liver function tests, lipid profile, glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1C]), and an ultrasound (US) of the gall bladder. RESULTS: One hundred and five children with T1D have been enrolled consecutively over a 1-year period: age ranged between 8 months and 15.5 years, 62 patients were females. The mean age at diagnosis was 6.3 ± 2.9 years (range 0.85-11 years), mean duration of T1D was 2.2 ± 2.1 years (range 0.2-8 years), mean body mass index was 16.5 ± 3.4, mean HbA1c was 10.7 ± 2.4%, and 61.3% of patients had a HbA1c level >10%. The mean serum cholesterol was 4.16 ± 0.75 mmol/L (normal 3.65-5.15 mmol/L) and mean serum triglyceride 1.02 ± 1.3 mmol/L (normal 0-1.7 mmol/L). Two patients had hyperlipidemia. US of the gallbladder did not show any case of gallstones or sludge formation. CONCLUSION: Data from our study do not show any association between T1D in children and gallstones formation, with diabetes duration of less than 8 years. The relatively short duration of diabetes and possibility that our study was underpowered might have been reasons for the absence of any association.

Prevalence of hepatopathy in type 1 diabetic children.

BACKGROUND: The Prevalence of liver disease among diabetics has been estimated to be between 17% and 100%. Most of these data were obtained from adult studies. The aim of our study was to screen for liver disease among type 1 diabetic children. METHODS: Children with type 1 diabetes following in clinic have been examined for existence of liver disease, from November 2008 to November 2009. All were subjected to the following: History, physical examination, liver function tests, fasting lipid profile, HbA1C, and ultrasound of the liver. A hyperechogenic liver and/or hepatomegaly on ultrasound were attributed most likely to excess glycogen or fat in the liver, after negative extensive work-up to rule out other underlying liver disease. RESULTS: 106 children with type 1 diabetes were studied: age ranged between 8 months to 15.5 years, sixty two patients were females. Twenty two patients (21%) were identified to have abnormal findings on ultrasound of the liver: 10 patients had hepatomegaly and 12 had hyperechogenic liver. The group with hyperechogenic liver had poorer glycemic control than patients with normal liver (Mean HbA1c 12.14% Vs 10.7%; P value = 0.09). Hyperechogenic liver resolved in 60% at 6 months follow-up upon achieving better glycemic control. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperechogenic liver and/or hepatomegaly are not uncommon in children with type 1 diabetes and tend to be more prevalent among children with poor glycemic control. Type 1 diabetes related hepatopathy is reversible by optimizing glycemic control. Because of its safety, and reliability, ultrasound can be used to screen for hepatopathy in type 1 diabetic child.

Electromagnetic Energy Radiated from Mobile Phone Alters Electrocardiographic Records of Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease

Electromagnetic energy radiated from mobile phones did not show significant effect on the blood pressure; heart rate; and electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters in animals and humans. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of radiofrequency of mobile phone on the electrocardiographic parameters in patients with history of ischemic heart disease; taking into consideration the gender factor . Subjects and Methods: A total number of 356 participants (129 males and 227 females) were admitted in this study. They were grouped into: subjects without cardiac diseases (Group I); patients with ischemic heart disease (Group II); and patients with history of cardiac diseases not related to myocardial ischemia (Group III). Electrocardiogram was obtained from each patient when the mobile phone was placed at the belt level and over precordium in turn-off mode (baseline) and turn-on mode for 40 sec ringing. The records of ECG were electronically analyzed. Results: Prolongation of QTc interval was significantly observed in male gender of Groups I and III (P 0.001). Male patients of Group II showed significant QTc interval prolongation (P

Molecular diversity analysis and bacterial population dynamics of an adapted seawater microbiota during the degradation of Tunisian zarzatine oil.

The indigenous microbiota of polluted coastal seawater in Tunisia was enriched by increasing the concentration of zarzatine crude oil. The resulting adapted microbiota was incubated with zarzatine crude oil as the only carbon and energy source. Crude oil biodegradation capacity and bacterial population dynamics of the microbiota were evaluated every week for 28 days (day 7, day 14, day 21, and day 28). Results show that the percentage of petroleum degradation was 23.9, 32.1, 65.3, and 77.8%, respectively. At day 28, non-aromatic and aromatic hydrocarbon degradation rates reached 92.6 and 68.7%, respectively. Bacterial composition of the adapted microflora was analysed by 16S rRNA gene cloning and sequencing, using total genomic DNA extracted from the adapted microflora at days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28. Five clone libraries were constructed and a total of 430 sequences were generated and grouped into OTUs using the ARB software package. Phylogenetic analysis of the adapted microbiota shows the presence of four phylogenetic groups: Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Diversity indices show a clear decrease in bacterial diversity of the adapted microflora according to the incubation time. The Proteobacteria are the most predominant (>80%) at day 7, day 14 and day 21 but not at day 28 for which the microbiota was reduced to only one OTU affiliated with the genus Kocuria of the Actinobacteria. This study shows that the degradation of zarzatine crude oil components depends on the activity of a specialized and dynamic seawater consortium composed of different phylogenetic taxa depending on the substrate complexity.

New sample treatment for determination of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) in agricultural soils by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

A new sample-treatment procedure has been developed for determination of total linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), i.e. homologues and isomers, in agricultural soil. The procedure involves two steps, ultrasound-assisted extraction of LAS from the samples with methanol then clean-up of the methanolic extracts and preconcentration of the LAS by solid-phase extraction on two adsorbent cartridges (SAX and C18). The ultrasound-assisted procedure reduces extraction time (10 min in contrast with 6-12 h for conventional Soxhlet extraction) and requires only small volumes of organic solvent. The effect of different variables interacting in the ultrasound-assisted extraction process was studied. Finally, separation and quantification of the homologues and isomers of LAS was performed by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (LC-FD). 2-Octylbenzenesulfonic acid sodium salt (Na-2ØC8-LAS) was used as internal standard. The proposed method was satisfactorily used for determination of LAS in agricultural soil samples from the fertile plain of Granada (Spain).

Microbial diversity of a heavily polluted microbial mat and its community changes following degradation of petroleum compounds.

We studied the microbial diversity of benthic cyanobacterial mats inhabiting a heavily polluted site in a coastal stream (Wadi Gaza) and monitored the microbial community response induced by exposure to and degradation of four model petroleum compounds in the laboratory. Phormidium- and Oscillatoria-like cyanobacterial morphotypes were dominant in the field. Bacteria belonging to different groups, mainly the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteriodes group, the gamma and beta subclasses of the class Proteobacteria, and the green nonsulfur bacteria, were also detected. In slurry experiments, these communities efficiently degraded phenanthrene and dibenzothiophene completely in 7 days both in the light and in the dark. n-Octadecane and pristane were degraded to 25 and 34% of their original levels, respectively, within 7 days, but there was no further degradation until 40 days. Both cyanobacterial and bacterial communities exhibited noticeable changes concomitant with degradation of the compounds. The populations enriched by exposure to petroleum compounds included a cyanobacterium affiliated phylogenetically with Halomicronema. Bacteria enriched both in the light and in the dark, but not bacteria enriched in any of the controls, belonged to the newly described Holophaga-Geothrix-Acidobacterium phylum. In addition, another bacterial population, found to be a member of green nonsulfur bacteria, was detected only in the bacteria treated in the light. All or some of the populations may play a significant role in metabolizing the petroleum compounds. We concluded that the microbial mats from Wadi Gaza are rich in microorganisms with high biodegradative potential.

Efeito de uma dieta rica em fibras sobre o transito intestinal. / Effect of a rich fiber diet on the intestinal transit

Estudos epidemiologicos tem demonstrado uma diminuicao do tempo de transito intestinal nas populacoes que ingerem alimentacao rica em fibras. Nos paises mais desenvolvidos a industrializacao tem sido apontada como responsavel pela reducao do conteudo de fibras das dietas. A menor ingesta de fibra tambem tem sido correlacionada com diversas doencas como: diverticulose, hemorroidas, varizes de membros inferiores diabetes, obesidade, aterosclerose. O presente trabalho foi realizado com a finalidade de demonstrar o efeito das fibras sobre o transito intestinal. O estudo foi realizado em 9 pacientes internados na Unidade Metabolica da Disciplina de Nutrologia, Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto. Os pacientes receberam uma dieta de alimentos regionais e normalmente usados na nossa alimentacao.As fibras destes alimentos foram calculados como fibra bruta. Foi medido o tempo de transito em 2 periodos separados e cada periodo constava no minimo de 7 dias. Os resultados do transito no periodo com conteudo normal de fibras (4,6 +/- 0,4 gramas) foi de 37,0 +/- 9,6 horas e no periodo com dieta rica em fibras (11,5 +/- 2,1) foi de 23,0 +/- 11,3 horas.O tempo de desaparecimento dos corantes nas fezes nao mostrou associacao significativa em relacao a quantidade de fibra ingerida pelos pacientes