Body mass index of adults with intellectual disability participating in Special Olympics by world region.

BACKGROUND: People with intellectual disability (ID) experience poorer health and have more unmet health needs compared with people without ID, and they are often absent from population health surveillance. The aim of this study was to describe the body mass index (BMI) status of adult Special Olympics participants by world region and gender. Additionally, the general influence of age and gender on overweight/obesity of all participants was explored. METHOD: A total of 11 643 (7150 male and 4493 female) Special Olympics BMI records were available from the Special Olympics International Health Promotion database. BMI was compared by gender and world region. Logistic regression was used to examine whether age and gender were associated with the likelihood of being overweight/obese (BMI ≥ 25.0). RESULTS: Overall, 5.5% of the sample was underweight, 36.1% in the normal range, 24.7% overweight and 32.1% obese, and levels of overweight/obesity were very high in North America. Both age and gender were significant predictors of overweight/obesity (odds ratios 1.06 and 0.59, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that adult Special Olympics participants have high levels of overweight and obesity; particularly among women and those from North America. It is crucial that those who work with, care for, coach and live with adults with ID who participate in Special Olympics increase efforts to promote healthy weight status.

A comparison of intellectual assessments over video conferencing and in-person for individuals with ID: preliminary data.

BACKGROUND: Video conferencing (VC) technology has great potential to increase accessibility to healthcare services for those living in rural or underserved communities. Previous studies have had some success in validating a small number of psychological tests for VC administration; however, VC has not been investigated for use with persons with intellectual disabilities (ID). A comparison of test results for two well known and widely used assessment instruments was undertaken to establish if scores for VC administration would differ significantly from in-person assessments. METHOD: Nineteen individuals with ID aged 23-63 were assessed once in-person and once over VC using the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI) and the Beery-Buktenica Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI). RESULTS: Highly similar results were found for test scores. Full-scale IQ on the WASI and standard scores for the VMI were found to be very stable across the two administration conditions, with a mean difference of less than one IQ point/standard score. CONCLUSION: Video conferencing administration does not appear to alter test results significantly for overall score on a brief intelligence test or a test of visual-motor integration.

Early androgen exposure modulates spatial cognition in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).

Major questions remain about the exact role of hormones in cognition. Furthermore, the extent to which early perturbation in steroid function affects human brain development continues to be a wide open area of research. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), a genetic disorder of steroid dysfunction characterized in part by in utero over-production of testosterone, was used as a natural model for addressing this question. Here, CAH (n=54, mean age=17.53, 31 female) patients were compared to healthy age- and sex-matched individuals (n=55, mean age=19.02, 22 female) on a virtual equivalent of the Morris Water Maze task [Morris, R., 1984. Developments of a water-maze procedure for studying spatial learning in the rat. J. Neurosci. Methods 11, 47-60], an established measure of sex differences in spatial cognition in rodents. Findings revealed that females with CAH with the most severe form of the disease and expected highest level of in utero exposure to androgens were found to perform similarly to both healthy males and CAH males, whereas strong sex differences were apparent in milder forms of the disorder and in controls. Moreover, advanced bone age, an indicator of long-term childhood exposure to testosterone was correlated with improved performance. The results indicate that individuals exposed to both excess androgens prenatally and prolonged exposure during childhood may manifest long-lasting changes in cognitive function. Such finding suggests a pivotal role of hormonal function on brain development in humans, mirroring results from the animal literature.

Evaluation of phytochemical and antimicrobial properties of leaf extract of Tapinanthus sessilifolius (P. Beauv) van Tiegh.

Leaf extracts of T. sessilifolius growing on five different host plants (Psidium guajava, Citrus lemon, Vernonia amygdalina, Persea americana and Jatropa curcas) were evaluated for antimicrobial activity of the plant. Powdered leaves of T. sessilifolius collected from each host plant was divided into two portions. One portion was used for aqueous infusion and the other portion was successively extracted with hexane, ethylacetate and methanol. Infusion of aqueous extract of powdered leaves did not show antimicrobial effect even at the concentration of 1000 and 2000 microg/ml on test microorganisms (Staph. aureus, E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans). However in broth culture, methanolic and hexane extract had MIC range of 62.5-500 microg/ml and ethylacetate extract had 250-500 microg/ml. Phytochemical screening of leaf samples of T. sessilifolius collected from different host plants showed positive test for hydrolysable tannins, saponins, flavonoids, terpenes, cardiac glycoside, reducing sugars and proteins. LD50 concentration was found to be > 1.500 mg/kg for samples from P. guajava; 489.89 mg/kg for J. curcas and C. lemon; and 692 mg/kg for V. amydalina in mice.

Effect of the aqueous extract of African mistletoe, Tapinanthus sessilifolius (P. Beauv) van Tiegh leaf on gastrointestinal muscle activity.

Effects of the aqueous extract of T. sessilifolius on the gastrointestinal muscle were investigated on smooth muscle preparations isolated from rabbit jejunum, guinea pig ileum and on gastrointestinal transit in mice. Elemental analysis of the extract was also carried out. The aqueous extract of T. sessilifolius evoked a concentration dependent contraction of the rabbit jejunum and guinea pig ileum. The contractions evoked by the extract were not attenuated either by atropine or mepyramine, but they were completely blocked by verapamil. The elemental analysis revealed the presence of Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu, and very high concentration of Ca. The intraperitoneal LD50 in mice was found to be 1500 mg/kg. The aqueous extract of T. sessilifoliius possesses active components that may be mediating the observed biological activity through calcium mobilization.

Alzheimer dementia in Down's syndrome: the relevance of cognitive ability.

More years of education have been found to be associated with a lower rate of Alzheimer disease (AD) in individuals without intellectual disability. It has been proposed that education reflects greater 'synaptic reserve' and that greater synaptic reserve may defer the development of AD. The present study compared individuals with Down's syndrome (DS) who were found to have symptoms of dementia with those who remained symptom-free to determine if the two groups differed in their level of education, employment, recreational activities, years in an institution or overall level of cognitive functioning. Thirty-five adults with DS aged between 29 and 67 years were assessed. The participants were recruited from a community health facility and included individuals with a wide range of ability levels. Neuropsychological testing, caregiver report and the Dementia Scale for Down Syndrome (Gedye 1995) were used to identify decline in participants over periods of 6 months to 3 years. After the effect of age was statistically removed, multiple regression analyses revealed that level of cognitive functioning was significantly associated with decline such that a higher level of cognitive functioning predicted less decline. None of the environmental variables (i.e. educational level, years in an institution and employment) were directly associated with decline; however, a post hoc regression using level of cognitive functioning as the outcome variable revealed that level of cognitive functioning itself was associated with these environmental variables. A higher level of cognitive functioning was associated with fewer cases of dementia in individuals with DS, and level of cognitive functioning appears to be associated with environmental factors such as level of education, years in an institution and employment. The present findings suggest that environmental interventions aimed at improving level of cognitive functioning may also be useful in deferring the onset of dementia.

Anti-diabetic properties of the African mistletoe in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The African mistletoe, Loranthus bengwensis L. (Loranthaceae), has been widely used in Nigerian folk medicine to treat diabetes mellitus. The aqueous extract or infusion (1.32 g/kg per day) of the leaves of this plant parasitic on lemon, Citrus limon (L.) Brum f. (Rutaceae), guava, Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae) and jatropha, Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae), respectively, were supplied ad libitum to separate groups of both non-diabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, as their only source of fluid for a period of 28 days. The infusions of mistletoe parasite on both lemon and guava trees significantly decreased serum glucose levels in non-diabetic (P < 0.05) and diabetic (P < 0.001) rats, whereas that prepared from mistletoe parasitic on jatropha did not. The data indicate that African mistletoe possesses significant anti-diabetic activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats; its anti-diabetic activity appears to be highly dependent on the host plant species.

Globulines anormalment precipitables (GAP) in Nigerian users of progestogen-only pill.

The globulines anormalment precipitables (GAP), which have been reported to be raised in current and former oral contraceptive users, were measured in Nigerian subjects which included male volunteers. The results showed that GAP were present in males who had never used contraceptives and that the mean values were lowest in intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) users and highest in females who had never used any contraceptives. However, current contraceptive users had lower mean GAP values than either former users or never users. It was therefore concluded that GAP levels alone cannot be used to predict the development of thromboembolic complications in pill users, and that ethinyl estradiol cannot be the main physiological stimulus for GAP synthesis.

Elevated abnormal proteins in the serum of Nigerian pill users.

The 'globulines anormalment precipitables' (GAP) which have been reported to be raised in current and former oral contraceptive users was measured in Nigerian subjects (which) including male volunteers. The results showed that GAP were present in males who had never used contraceptives and that the mean values were the lowest in intrauterine contraceptive (IUD) users and highest in females who had never used any contraceptive. However, current contraceptive users had lower mean GAP values than either former users or never users. Therefore it has been concluded that GAP levels alone cannot be used to predict the development of thrombo-embolic complications in pill users, and that ethinyl oestradiol cannot be the main physiological stimulus for GAP synthesis.

PIP: Researchers obtained serum samples from 182 healthy men and women living in Jos, Plateau State in Nigeria after fasting to measure abnormal protein (globulins anormalement precipitables [GAP]) levels. Specifically, they wanted to compare the levels of the 5 groups: 30 women who had never used oral contraceptives (OCs), 38 males, 48 women using progesterone only OCs, 32 women who used OCs for 2 years and stopped 6 months before this study, and 34 women using a copper releasing IUD. Former OC users had the highest mean GAP levels (1336.37 mcg/ml). Further the mean GAP levels for males (932.25 mcg/ml) was significantly higher than women using IUDs (p.05). Indeed significant differences existed between all groups (p.05). A more pronounced difference in pattern and magnitude of GAP values for control and experimental groups occurred among these Nigerians than in previous studies involving Whites. Further results of 1 study revealed European Blacks to have a significantly higher GAP level than Whites. Therefore the higher GAP levels in Blacks may be more dependent on genetic factors than dietary factors. Another important finding of this study was the possible role of progesterone only OCs in reducing GAP levels beyond normal physiological limits. In addition, this study suggested that, contrary to earlier belief, ethinyl estradiol may not be the main stimulus for GAP production since men had relatively high levels of GAP. In conclusion, health practitioners should not use GAP levels alone to predict the development of thrombosis in OC users.

The time course and characterization of myocardial hemorrhage after coronary reperfusion in the anesthetized dog.

We quantitated hemorrhage associated with reperfusion after varying periods of myocardial ischemia and examined the flow characteristics that accompany reperfusion hemorrhage. Anesthetized dogs were reperfused after 2, 6 or 24 hours of circumflex occlusion. A control group underwent coronary occlusion without reperfusion. Radioactive microspheres were injected before and 5 minutes and 24 hours after reperfusion. The papillary muscles were analyzed for hemoglobin content, flow during myocardial ischemia and flow early and 24 hours after reperfusion. Myocardial creatine kinase activity was assayed to determine the severity of myocardial necrosis in the papillary muscles. Hemorrhage into the posterior papillary muscle was dependent upon the duration of coronary artery occlusion. Posterior papillary hemoglobin averaged 14 mg/g in the 2-hour group, 28 mg/g in the 6-hour group and 36 mg/g in the group reperfused 24 hours after occlusion, compared with 8.7 mg/g in the control group. Myocardial hemorrhage was associated with severe depression in myocardial CK and marked depression in flow to the ischemic area (i.e., collateral flow) during the occlusion. Early reflow averaged 112 ml/min/100 g in the 2-hour group, 61 ml/min/100 g in the 6-hour group and only 5.8 ml/min/100 g in the 24-hour group. Therefore, myocardial hemorrhage induced by reperfusion of the acutely ischemic myocardium is associated with severe ischemia during occlusion and severe myocardial necrosis, but does not depend upon the magnitude of early reflow. Myocardial hemorrhage may occur even though initial reflow values are markedly decreased.

Studies of the interaction of mitochondrial creatine kinase with the mitochondrial membrane.

In this study we have investigated the binding characteristics of creatine kinase (CK) with mitochondrial membrane. Creatine kinase was found to bind membranes by electrostatic forces. At physiological pH, the interaction seems to be between positively charged groups on the enzyme protein and negatively charged groups on the membrane.