Circulating spexins in children with obesity: relation to cardiometabolic risk.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The role of spexin (SPX) in energy metabolism, endocrinal homeostasis, and vasculopathy is emerging. However, scarce data are available about its role in childhood obesity and obesity-related vasculopathy. Hence, we aimed to assess the level of SPX in obese and normal-weight children, and to correlate it with aortic distensibility (AD) and aortic stiffness index (ASI). SUBJECTS/METHODS: Forty obese children were compared to 40 matched normal-weighed children. Weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) z score and mean blood pressure (Bl-Pr) percentile on three different occasions were obtained. SPX, fasting triglycerides, cholesterol, low-density (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and insulin were measured with calculation of the homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Internal aortic diameter was measured with calculation of AD, strain (AS), and ASI. RESULTS: Children with obesity had significantly lower SPX (P = 0.004), HDL (P < 0.001), and AD (P < 0.001) and higher systolic Bl-Pr (P < 0.001), diastolic Bl-Pr (P < 0.001), LDL (P = 0.011), HOMA-IR (P < 0.001), and ASI (P < 0.001). Significant negative correlation was found between SPX and BMI z score (r = -0.646, P < 0.001), systolic Bl-Pr (r = -0.641, P < 0.001), diastolic Bl-Pr (r = -0.427, P < 0.001), HOMA-IR (r = -0.349, P = 0.028), and ASI (r = -0.389, P = 0.013), while significant positive correlation was found between SPX and AS (P < 0.001, r = 0.633) and AD (P < 0.001, r = 0.612). However, no significant correlation was found between SPX and age (r = -0.01, P = 0.953), TG (r = 0.048, P = 0.767), total cholesterol (r = -0.023, P = 0.887), LDL (r = -0.299, P = 0.061), and HDL (r = 0.193, P = 0.232). CONCLUSIONS: Children with obesity had significantly lower SPX than controls. SPX was correlated with BMI, Bl-Pr, HOMA-IR, and vasculopathy in children with obesity independent of their age and lipid profile. Further studies should explore the pathomechanism of SPX and its potential role in the management of obesity and obesity-related cardiometabolic risk.

Using LIBS as a diagnostic tool in pediatrics beta-thalassemia.

Beta-thalassemia major is a common inherited single-gene disorder. Thalassemic patients are at risk of changes in some important trace elements. To detect alteration of iron, copper, zinc, and calcium serum levels in beta-thalassemia major patients, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was used. This study was conducted on 40 beta-thalassemia major and 40 healthy young patients (age: 12-18 years old; male:female = 1:1). Venous blood samples were collected from both groups and analyzed for the serum levels of iron, calcium, zinc, and copper by exposing the samples to LIBS. The intensities of the tested elements were detected using the Kestrel Spec computer software and analyzed with an SPSS 25 program. Thalassemic patients had significantly higher serum iron (p = < 0.001) and copper (p = < 0.005) while they had significantly lower serum zinc (p = < 0.005) and calcium (p= > 0.005) when compared with control. Also, thalassemic patients had significantly lower body weight and height as they were less than the 3rd percentile by 82.5% and p < 0.001. LIBS is a safe and efficient tool to detect alteration of some serum trace elements in beta-thalassemia patients.

Assessment of Quality of Life of Primary Caregivers of Egyptian Asthmatic Children and Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Asthma as a serious public health problem worldwide exerts a serious load on children's health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and their families. OBJECTIVE: We assess the HRQOL of the primary caregivers of Egyptian asthmatic children and adolescents and its relation to HRQOL of their children and asthma severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 128 pairs of asthmatic children (7-16 years) and their primary caregivers. Pediatric asthma quality of life (QOL) questionnaire, pediatric asthma caregiver's QOL questionnaire, and asthma control questionnaire were used. RESULTS: Uncontrolled asthmatic patients had statistically significantly lower mean caregiver score compared to controlled asthmatic (P < 0.005). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between caregiver's individual and overall QOL scores and their children (individual and overall QOL scores) (P < 0.05). A statistically significant negative correlation between asthma severity and QOL scores of the caregivers of asthmatic children and adolescents was found (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The QOL of the primary caregivers of asthmatic children is significantly adversely affected by their children's illness severity.

Mercury Materno-fetal Burden and Its Nutritional Impact.

BACKGROUND: Mercury exists worldwide in food, water and air throwing its health hazards on all body systems. AIM: To show the influence of the presence of mercury in pregnant mothers' blood on its level in the umbilical cord blood; and to display the relationship between the different foodstuff on the mercury levels in pregnant mothers' and umbilical cord blood. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on randomly chosen 113 pregnant mothers at the time of labour and on their newborns. Full history, sociodemographic data and food frequency questionnaire for dietary assessment were recorded. The Maternal and neonatal anthropometric measurements together with the Apgar scoring were also measured. Serum mercury levels in both mothers' and umbilical cord blood were measured using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). RESULTS: A high percentage of mothers (82.3%) were exposed to passive smoking. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the maternal and fetal umbilical cord blood mercury levels (p = 0.002). There was an insignificant negative correlation between the maternal blood and fetal umbilical cord blood mercury levels on one side and each of the different foodstuff on the other side (fish, vegetables, fruits and proteins, for example, meat and legumes). An insignificant positive correlation was found between dairy products and of the maternal blood and umbilical cord blood mercury levels. CONCLUSION: The fetal umbilical cord blood mercury levels correlate positively with the maternal blood mercury. The different foodstuff can influence the maternal and umbilical cord blood mercury levels whether by increase or decrease. Strict measures should be taken to decrease environmental mercury contamination with attention to pregnant mothers.

Body Weight Concern and Belief among Adolescent Egyptian Girls.

BACKGROUND: Body weight concern and belief in adolescent females are of great importance. They are the keys to successful dietary interventions including dietary habits' modifications to practice a healthy diet. This critical phase of transition from childhood to adulthood is the most sensitive stage of behavioural rectification. AIM: This study was conducted with the aim to figure out the prevalence of body image dissatisfaction and the association of body image satisfaction and believe with body mass index in adolescent girls aged 16-18 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred and three Egyptian adolescent females were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Their mean age was (17.4 ± 0.64) years old. Self-administered questionnaires about the students' body satisfaction and weight belief were answered by the candidates. Their body mass index was calculated. Also, sociodemographic data were collected. Data were analysed using SPSS software version 16.0. Chi-square test was conducted for the variables. RESULTS: Sixty-eight percent of the students were within normal weight, 3.3% were underweight, while 18.2% and 10.5% were overweight and obese respectively. Body dissatisfaction was prevalent among 37.4%. The prevalence of body dissatisfaction was higher in both obese and underweight candidates reaching (93.8% and 80%) respectively. This reflects students' awareness of their body shape. CONCLUSION: More than one-third of adolescent females were dissatisfied with their body image. The subjective belief about self-body image matched the objective Body Mass Index measurements.

Effect of vitamin A deficiency on thymosin-ß4 and CD4 concentrations.

Vitamins are evaluated for their role in immunity. Recently, vitamin A received a particular attention as a critical micronutrient for regulating immune system. Therefore, the present study aimed to search for new about vitamin A. Forty-eight Egyptian adults aged from 18 to 42 years old from both sexes were subjected to clinical examination and nutrition questionnaire and were screened for vitamin A by using ELISA method. Forty subjects were selected and subdivided into two groups. Group 1 with vitamin A at level >200 µg/dl consists of 10 healthy subjects. Group 2 with vitamin A deficiency at level <50 µg/dl consists of 30 subjects. Tß4 and CD4 levels were also determined by a commercial ELISA kit. Results showed a significant decrease in serum levels of Tß4 and CD4 in group 2 than group 1 at P < .003 and P < .019 respectively. Both of Tß4 and CD4 had positive correlation with vitamin A level at P < .000 and P < .003 respectively as well as with each other at p < .000. We concluded that vitamin A deficiency may be influence the levels of Tß4 and CD4.