Relation between obesity, lipid profile, leptin and atopic disorders in children

Background: Obesity has become a disease of great importance affecting children and adolescents. Obesity can cause atopy or inflammation, where there are some common factors that predispose to both obesity and atopy. Objective: To study the factors contributing to allergic disorders in obese children, the role of leptin in obesity related atopic disorders and the relation of birth weight and breast feeding to both obesity and atopy. Methods: Forty seven obese children and adolescents and 45 healthy children (control group) were included in the study. The obese children were divided into 2 groups (based on the history of nasal allergy, bronchial asthma, skin, eye or food allergy), group I (n=21) atopic and group II (n=26) non atopic. All obese children were subjected to complete blood count, serum triglycerides and cholesterol, serum leptin (for control group also) and serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) measurement. Results: Body mass index (BMI) was significantly higher in group I than group II (33.35±9.93 vs. 23.70±9.7IU/L, p=0.000), also serum total IgE was significantly higher in group I than in group II (510.476±366.407 IU/L vs. 114.577±120.940 IU/L, p=0.000). Group II showed higher serum leptin level than group I (185.115±105.912 vs. 133.048±100.718 ng/ml), a difference not statistically significant (p = 0.092), yet, both were higher than the control group (7.24±5.98 ng/ml). Significant positive correlation was found between serum leptin level and age (p=0.000, r = 0.60) and BMI (p=0.000, r = 0.720), while negative correlation was found between serum leptin and IgE (r= 0.289, P=0.049). Significant positive correlation was found between obesity (BMI) and family history of obesity (r = 4.672, p = 0.036). Conclusion: There is a strong positive association between obesity and atopy: Serum leptin was higher in obese children when compared to control group more in non atopic than atopic group yet not statistically significant. Family history of obesity is an important predisposing factor for obesity in children. The frequency of atopy was higher in artificial than in breast fed obese children. Therefore efforts should focus on weight reduction as a part of treatment of asthma in obese children, also serum leptin assay is important in all obese children and further studies are needed to know more details about leptin hormone and its relation to both atopy and obesity.Keywords: Obesity, Leptin hormone, Atopy, Total IgE, Allergic disordersEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2008; 6(1): 27-34

Controlling of Mycobacterium by Natural Degradant-Combination Models for Sequestering Mycolic Acids in Karish Cheese

Degradation of the mycobacterial complex containing mycolic acids (MAs) by natural bioactive compounds is essential for producing safe and value-added foods with therapeutic activities. This study aimed to determine the degradation efficiency of natural organic acid extracts (i.e., citric, malic, tartaric, and lactic), quadri-mix extract from fruits and probiotics (i.e., lemon, apple, grape, and cell-free supernatant of Lactobacillus acidophilus), and synthetic pure organic acids (i.e., citric, malic, tartaric, and lactic), against MA in vitro in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) and Karish cheese models. The degradation effect was evaluated both individually and in combinations at different concentrations of degradants (1, 1.5, and 2%) and at various time intervals (0, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h). The results show that MA degradation percentage recorded its highest value at 2% of mixed fruit extract quadri-mix with L. acidophilus and reached 99.2% after 48 h both in PBS and Karish cheese, unlike other treatments (i.e., citric + malic + tartaric + lactic), individual acids, and sole extracts at all concentrations. Conversely, organic acid quadri-mix revealed the greatest MA degradation% of 95.9, 96.8, and 97.3% at 1, 1.5, and 2%, respectively, after 48 h. Citric acid was more effective in MA degradation than other acids. The fruit extract quadri-mix combined with L. acidophilus-fortified Karish cheese showed the highest sensorial characteristics; hence, it can be considered a novel food-grade degradant for MA and could be a promising biocontrol candidate against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in food matrices

Biliary fistula and late recurrence of liver hydatid cyst: Role of cysto-biliary communication: A prospective multicenter study

Background: Hydatid cyst disease (HCD) is common in certain locations. Surgery is associated with postoperative biliary fistula (POBF) and recurrence. The primary aim of this study was to identify whether occult cysto-biliary communication (CBC) can predict recurrent HCD. The secondary aim was to assess the role of cystic fluid bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in predicting POBF and recurrent HCD. Aim: To identify whether occult CBC can predict recurrent HCD. The secondary aim was to assess the role of cystic fluid bilirubin and ALP levels in predicting POBF and recurrent HCD. Methods: From September 2010 to September 2016, a prospective multicenter study was undertaken involving 244 patients with solitary primary superficial stage cystic echinococcosis 2 and cystic echinococcosis 3b HCD who underwent laparoscopic partial cystectomy with omentoplasty. Univariable logistic regression analysis assessed independent factors determining biliary complications and recurrence. Results: There was a highly statistically significant association (P ≤ 0.001) between cystic fluid biochemical indices and the development of biliary complications (of 16 patients with POBF, 15 patients had high cyst fluid bilirubin and ALP levels), where patients with high bilirubin-ALP levels were 3405 times more likely to have biliary complications. There was a highly statistically significant association (P ≤ 0.001) between biliary complications, biochemical indices, and the occurrence of recurrent HCD (of 30 patients with recurrent HCD, 15 patients had high cyst fluid bilirubin and ALP; all 16 patients who had POBF later developed recurrent HCD), where patients who developed biliary complications and high bilirubin-ALP were 244.6 and 214 times more likely to have recurrent hydatid cysts, respectively. Conclusion: Occult CBC can predict recurrent HCD. Elevated cyst fluid bilirubin and ALP levels predicted POBF and recurrent HCD

Estimation of coronary artery hyperemic blood flow based on arterial lumen volume using angiographic images

The purpose of this study is to develop a method to estimate the hyperemic blood flow in a coronary artery using the sum of the distal lumen volumes in a swine animal model. The limitations of visually assessing coronary artery disease are well known. These limitations are particularly important in intermediate coronary lesions where it is difficult to determine whether a particular lesion is the cause of ischemia. Therefore, a functional measure of stenosis severity is needed using angiographic image data. Coronary arteriography was performed in 10 swine (Yorkshire, 25–35 kg) after power injection of contrast material into the left main coronary artery. A densitometry technique was used to quantify regional flow and lumen volume in vivo after inducing hyperemia. Additionally, 3 swine hearts were casted and imaged post-mortem using cone-beam CT to obtain the lumen volume and the arterial length of corresponding coronary arteries. Using densitometry, the results showed that the stem hyperemic flow (Q) and the associated crown lumen volume (V) were related by Q = 159.08 V3/4 (r = 0.98, SEE = 10.59 ml/min). The stem hyperemic flow and the associated crown length (L) using cone-beam CT were related by Q = 2.89 L (r = 0.99, SEE = 8.72 ml/min). These results indicate that measured arterial branch lengths or lumen volumes can potentially be used to predict the expected hyperemic flow in an arterial tree. This, in conjunction with measured hyperemic flow in the presence of a stenosis, could be used to predict fractional flow reserve based entirely on angiographic data

Risk-factors for non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy

Cross-sectional study analyzed as case-control to identify risk factors for non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy. We studied 412 out-clinics HIV infected subjects of three public hospitals of Recife, Pernambuco. The objective was to examine the association between non-adherence to the antiretroviral therapy and biological, social-behavior and demographics and economic factors, factors related to the disease and/or treatment, factors related to life habits and depression symptoms. Variables significantly associated with non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy were: time elapsed since HIV diagnosis (p = 0.002), daily dose (p = 0.046), use of alcohol (p = 0.030) and past drug use (p = 0.048), and borderline p-values were found for educational level (p = 0.093) and family monthly income (p = 0.08). In the multivariable analysis, the factors that remained in the final model were family monthly income, time period with HIV infection and use of alcohol. No association was observed between non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy and gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, educational level and place of residence. Based on our results and the local situation we suggest: assessment of social needs; training of partners and/or families on supporting adherence, creation of "adherence groups" to motivate and to reassure patients on the benefits of treatment; counseling and/or psychotherapy for alcohol drinkers

Beziehungen zwischen arterieller Sauerstoffsättigung, Sauerstoffsättigung im Sinus coronarius und Sauerstoffausnutzung im Myokard unter Berücksichtigung von Sauerstoffkapazität und arteriellem Druck

An 36 Hunden wurden die Beziehungen zwischen der arteriellen O2-Sättigung, der Sättigung im Sinus coronarius und der im rechten Ventrikel am Herzen „in situ“ untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen: 1. Bei physiologischer arterieller Sättigung (96,6±1,41%) beträgt die Sinussättigung 21,8±3,96%, die Sättigung im rechten Ventrikel 59,5±7,3%. 2. Bei sinkender arterieller Sättigung nimmt nicht nur die Sättigung im Sinus und im Ventrikel ab, sondern auch der „Ventrikel-Sinus-Gradient“ der O2-Sättigung. 3. Der Utilisationskoeffizient des Myokards verkleinert sich während einer Hypoxämie linear mit sinkender arterieller Sauerstoffsättigung (Gesetz des Utilisationskoeffizienten des Myokards). Die O2-Kapazität des Blutes bewirkt eine parallele Verschiebung der Regressionsgraden, aber keine Änderung der Neigung. 4. Bei gleichzeitiger Änderung der arteriellen O2-Sättigung, der O2-Kapazität und des mittleren Aortendruckes hat die arterielle O2-Sättigung auf den Utilisationskoeffizienten des Myokards den größten Einfluß, einen geringeren die O2-Kapazität; eine Wirkung des mittleren Aortendruckes läßt sich unter den genannten Versuchsbedingungen nicht sichern. 5. Ein Nomogramm zur Schätzung des Utilisationskoeffizienten an Hand experimentell ermittelter Werte für die O2-Sättigung in der Arterie und O2-Kapazität ist angefügt

Arterielle Sauerstoffsättigung und Coronardurchblutung

An 28 Hunden in Morphin-Pernocton-Narkose wurde die Wirkung von Sauerstoffmangel (Beatmung mit O2-armen Gemischen) auf die Coronargefäße untersucht. Die Ergebnisse sind: 1. Die kleinste Änderung der arteriellen O2-Sättigung, die eine Durchblutungszunahme in den Coronarien auslöst, beträgt 4,17 ± 1,46%. Dieser Wert hat offenbar für einen Bereich von 100–45% arterieller O2-Sättigung Geltung. Die Mehrdurchblutung beginnt bereits in physiologischen Bereich arterieller O2-Sättigung. 2. Die hypoxämische Coronarvasodilatation verläuft in beiden Coronararterien (linke und rechte) gleichzeitig und gleichsinnig. 3. Die Änderungen des Aortendruckes in Hypoxie erklären nur zum Teil die Coronarmehrdurchblutung; daneben besteht eine Vasodilatation. 4. Die Herzfrequenz spielt keine Rolle für das Zustandekommen der hypoxämischen Coronarvasodilatation. Sie ist ebenfalls unabhängig von der extrakardialen Innervation. 5. Die O2-Sättigung im Sinus coronarius sinkt mit der arteriellen O2-Sättigung. Steigerung der arteriellen O2-Sättigung bewirkt eine Sättigungszunahme im Sinus nur dann, wenn von einem hypoxämischen Zustand ausgegangen wird