Somatotypes of children in different areas of Indonesia

Background: Human populations consist of individuals who differ widely in body shape and size. Somatotypesare morpho-phenotypic ranges along continua of variation, which possess constantly recognizablecharacteristics and are the functional end products of the whole genetic and the developmental complex.Objective: The objective of this cross-sectional study was to establish the somatotypes of urban, agriculturaland fishing village children in Indonesia.Method: Anthropometric somatotypes of children are considered in a cross-sectional sample of schoolgoing,ranging in age from 7-15 years. A total numbers 1716 (816 boys and 900 girls) consist of childrenin urban Yogyakarta (340 boys and 371 girls), agricultural Bantul (222 boys and 243 girls), and fishingPadang (254 boys and 286 girls). Heath-Carter somatotypes were determined for all subjects.Result: The Yogyakarta children were taller and heavier than their agricultural and fishing counterparts inboth sexes. The Yogyakarta children (urban) were more endomorphic, mesomorphic, and less ectomorphicthan the Bantul and Padang children. The Padang children (fishing village) were more ectomorphic and lessendomorphic than the Yogyakarta and Bantul children. The mean somatotype of boys and girls were 3.8 –3.6 – 3.7 and 4.2 – 3.1 – 3.6 (in urban city, respectively), 2.8 – 3.2 – 4.1 and 3.5 – 2.9 – 3.9 (in anagricultural village, respectively), and 2.5 – 3.5 – 3.8 and 3.5 – 3.1 – 3.5 (in fishing village, respectively).Conclusion: The finding indicated among the Indonesian children, the distribution of somatotype accordingto age was different between urban Yogyakarta, agricultural Bantul and fishing Padang. In general, thewell-off children were more endomorphic, and the low-income children were more ectomorphic.Key words: somatotype anthropometric – urban, agricultural, and fishing village childre

Consensus-based care recommendations for congenital and childhood-onset myotonic dystrophy type 1.

Purpose of review: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 is a multisystemic disorder caused by a noncoding triplet repeat. The age of onset is variable across the lifespan, but in its most severe form, the symptoms appear at birth (congenital myotonic dystrophy) or in the pediatric age range (childhood-onset myotonic dystrophy). These children have a range of disabilities that reduce the lifespan and cause significant morbidity. Currently, there are no agreed upon recommendations for caring for these children. Recent findings: The Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation recruited 11 international clinicians who are experienced with congenital and childhood-onset myotonic dystrophy to create consensus-based care recommendations. The experts used a 2-step methodology using elements of the single text procedure and nominal group technique. Completion of this process has led to the development of clinical care recommendations for this population. Summary: Children with myotonic dystrophy often require monitoring and interventions to improve the lifespan and quality of life. The resulting recommendations are intended to standardize and improve the care of children with myotonic dystrophy

Evaluating Detection and Diagnostic Decision Support Systems for Bioterrorism Response

We evaluated the usefulness of detection systems and diagnostic decision support systems for bioterrorism response. We performed a systematic review by searching relevant databases (e.g., MEDLINE) and Web sites for reports of detection systems and diagnostic decision support systems that could be used during bioterrorism responses. We reviewed over 24,000 citations and identified 55 detection systems and 23 diagnostic decision support systems. Only 35 systems have been evaluated: 4 reported both sensitivity and specificity, 13 were compared to a reference standard, and 31 were evaluated for their timeliness. Most evaluations of detection systems and some evaluations of diagnostic systems for bioterrorism responses are critically deficient. Because false-positive and false-negative rates are unknown for most systems, decision making on the basis of these systems is seriously compromised. We describe a framework for the design of future evaluations of such systems

Comparison between clinical significance of serum proinflammatory proteins (IL-6 and CRP) and classic tumor markers (CEA and CA 19-9) in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is a second most common cause of cancer-related death and represents an inflammation-driven malignancy. It has been suggested that interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) play a potential role in the growth and progression of GC. The aim of the present study was to compare clinical significance of IL-6 and CRP with classic tumor markers—carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA 19-9) in GC patients. The study included 92 patients with GC and 70 healthy subjects. The serum concentrations of IL-6, CEA and CA 19-9 were determined using immunoenzyme assays, whereas CRP using immunoturbidimetric method. We defined the diagnostic criteria and prognostic value for proteins tested. In GC patients, the serum concentrations of all the proteins tested were significantly higher than in healthy subjects. The IL-6, CEA and CA 19-9 levels correlated with nodal metastases, while CRP with tumor stage, gastric wall invasion, presence of nodal and distant metastases. Diagnostic sensitivity of IL-6 was higher (85%) than those of other markers (CRP 66%, CA 19-9 34%, CEA 22%) and increased in combined use with CRP or CEA (88%). The area under ROC curve for IL-6 was larger than those of CRP and classic tumor markers (CEA and CA 19-9). None of the proteins tested was independent prognostic factor for the survival of GC patients. Our findings indicate better usefulness of serum proinflammatory proteins—IL-6 and CRP than classic tumor markers—CEA and CA 19-9 in the diagnosis of GC

Plant based dietary supplement increases urinary pH

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Research has demonstrated that the net acid load of the typical Western diet has the potential to influence many aspects of human health, including osteoporosis risk/progression; obesity; cardiovascular disease risk/progression; and overall well-being. As urinary pH provides a reliable surrogate measure for dietary acid load, this study examined whether a plant-based dietary supplement, one marketed to increase alkalinity, impacts urinary pH as advertised.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using pH test strips, the urinary pH of 34 healthy men and women (33.9 +/- 1.57 y, 79.3 +/- 3.1 kg) was measured for seven days to establish a baseline urinary pH without supplementation. After this initial baseline period, urinary pH was measured for an additional 14 days while participants ingested the plant-based nutritional supplement. At the end of the investigation, pH values at baseline and during the treatment period were compared to determine the efficacy of the supplement.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mean urinary pH statistically increased (p = 0.03) with the plant-based dietary supplement. Mean urinary pH was 6.07 +/- 0.04 during the baseline period and increased to 6.21 +/- 0.03 during the first week of treatment and to 6.27 +/- 0.06 during the second week of treatment.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Supplementation with a plant-based dietary product for at least seven days increases urinary pH, potentially increasing the alkalinity of the body.</p

Video-assisted thoracoscopic resection for intralobar pulmonary sequestration.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic treatment of intralobar pulmonary sequestration in an obese (120 kg, body mass index 42) young man is described. Two aberrant arteries originating from the descending thoracic aorta were transected with a vascular stapler, and a left lower lobectomy was successfully performed thoracoscopically. Three-dimensional chest computed tomography was used to identify the aberrant vessels. Video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy is useful and minimally invasive for treating pulmonary sequestration, especially in obese patients.The original publication is available at www.springerlink.co

I-131 Dose Response for Incident Thyroid Cancers in Ukraine Related to the Chornobyl Accident

Background: Current knowledge about Chornobyl-related thyroid cancer risks comes from ecological studies based on grouped doses, case–control studies, and studies of prevalent cancers