Socioeconomic status, sex, age, and ethnicity as determinants of body fat distribution for Guatemalan children

The distribution of subcutaneous fat at the triceps and subscapular skinfold sites is described for four groups of children living in Guatemala. These groups are (1) high socioeconomic status (SES) children of Ladino (mixed Spanish and Indian) ancestry, (2) high SES children of European ancestry, (3) low SES Ladino children, and (4) very low SES Indian children. The method of Healy and Tanner (1981) is used, employing regression and principal components analysis of log transformed skinfold values to divide “fatness” into two uncorrelated variables: size (amount of fat) and shape (fat pattern). Significant differences exist between groups in size, with lower SES groups having less fat than higher SES groups. No significant difference in fat pattern exists between the high SES Ladino and high SES European children. Significant differences do exist between the high SES groups and the low SES groups. The relative amount of subscapular fat increases from the high SES Ladinos and high SES Europeans, to the low SES Ladinos, to the very low SES Indians. In the high SES European and high SES Ladino samples, girls have significantly more arm fat than boys. There is no significant difference in fat patterning between boys and girls in the two low SES samples. Finally, the relative amount of subscapular fat tends to increase with age in all four samples. These results indicate that (1) fatness and fat patterning are independent anatomical characteristics, (2) SES influences fat patterning; low SES children of both Ladino and Indian ancestry show greater reductions in arm fat than in trunk fat compared to high SES children, (3) sexual dimorphism in fat patterning is SES dependent; low SES children show no dimorphism, high SES children are dimorphic, (4) ethnic differences in fat patterning are not demonstrable for Ladinos and Europeans of high SES; fat distribution differences between low SES Ladinos and very low SES Indians may be due to ethnic factors, SES differences, or both.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/37631/1/1330690413_ftp.pd

Influence of Adult Knee Height, Age at First Birth, Migration, and Current Age on Adult Physical Function of Bangladeshi Mothers and Daughters in the United Kingdom and Bangladesh

Economic and Social Research Council, New Dynamics of Ageing Programme, UK

Acute partial Budd-Chiari syndrome and portal vein thrombosis in cytomegalovirus primary infection: a case report

BACKGROUND: Splanchnic vein thrombosis may complicate inherited thrombotic disorders. Acute cytomegalovirus infection is a rare cause of acquired venous thrombosis in the portal or mesenteric territory, but has never been described extending into a main hepatic vein. CASE PRESENTATION: A 36-year-old immunocompetent woman presented with acute primary cytomegalovirus infection in association with extensive thrombosis in the portal and splenic vein. In addition, a fresh thrombus was evident in the right hepatic vein. A thorough evaluation for a hypercoagulable state was negative. The clinical course, biological evolution, radiological and histological findings were consistent with cytomegalovirus hepatitis complicated by a partial acute Budd-Chiari syndrome and portal thrombosis. Therapeutic anticoagulation was associated with a slow clinical improvement and partial vascular recanalization. CONCLUSION: We described in details a new association between cytomegalovirus infection and acute venous thrombosis both in the portal vein and in the right hepatic vein, realizing a partial Budd-Chiari syndrome. One should be aware that this rare thrombotic event may be complicated by partial venous outflow block

Трансарктика-2019: зимняя экспедиция в Северный Ледовитый океан на НЭС «Академик Трёшников»

Preliminary results of the Transarktika-2019 winter expedition in the Arctic Ocean on the R/V “Akademik Tryoshnikov” are presented. The expedition program included studies on meteorology, hydrology, hydrochemistry, hydrobiology, geology, geophysics and an extensive complex of ice measurements in the Northern Barents Sea from the drifting ice and from the ship. During the expedition, it was possible to complete a wide range of tasks. The data obtained comprise a unique material for a comprehensive study of the current state of the environmental conditions in the Barents Sea. This paper highlights the most significant preliminary results of multidisciplinary observations in various environments, which will be further comprehensively analyzed and published in separate thematic articles.Представлены предварительные результаты зимней экспедиции «Трансарктика-2019» в Северном Ледовитом океане на НЭС «Академик Трёшников». Программа экспедиции включала в себя исследования по метеорологии, гидрологии, гидрохимии, гидробиологии, геологии, геофизике и обширному комплексу измерений ледяного покрова в северной части Баренцева моря с дрейфующего льда и с борта судна. Во время экспедиции удалось выполнить широкий круг задач. Полученные данные представляют собой уникальный материал для всестороннего изучения текущего состояния условий окружающей среды в Баренцевом море. В статье обозначены наиболее значимые предварительные результаты междисциплинарных наблюдений в различных средах, которые в дальнейшем будут всесторонне проанализированы и опубликованы в отдельных тематических статьях

Лекарственные препараты, отпущенные больным раком молочной железы в рамках программ лекарственного обеспечения населения

The purpose of our research was to analyze the actual practice of medicine in patients with breast cancer in various regions of the Russian Federation in the framework of state programs of drug provision (procurement of essential drugs (EDPP) and of regional benefits (RBP)).Materials and Methods. We collected data on dispensed medicines from 42 regions of the Russian Federation, which accounted for 57.58% of the total population and 58.20% of the total number of breast cancer patients who had been registered in the oncological institutions of the Russian Federation in 2013. We collected and studied data on the antineoplastic agents (L01) and hormonal antineoplastic drugs (L02) dispensed through programs of drug supply from federal and regional budgets in 2013 in the regions of the Russian Federation for patients with a diagnosis of «malignant neoplasm of the breast» (C50 International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision).Results. The number of drugs prescribed to patients with breast cancer in studied regions ranged from 3 to 39 INNs. Among the most commonly used antineoplastic agents were trastuzumab and capecitabine (both used in 92.86% of the regions), and among hormonal antineoplastic drugs were aromatase inhibitors and tamoxifen (95.24% and 100% of the regions of the Russian Federation). Consumption of drugs varied significantly between theregions.Conclusion. Our study revealed significant differences in the consumption of antineoplastic medications among outpatients with breast cancer in different regions of the Russian Federation whose care was funded by federal and regional budgets.Цель исследования – анализ реальной практики лекарственного обеспечения больных раком молочной железы (РМЖ) в субъектах РФ в рамках программ лекарственного обеспечения (обеспечения основными лекарственными средствами (ОНЛП) и региональной льготы).Материалы и методы. Собраны данные об отпущенных лекарственных препаратах в 42 субъектах РФ, в которых проживает 57,58% от общей численности населения страны и 58,20% от общего числа женщин, больных РМЖ и состоявших на учете в онкологических учреждениях РФ в 2013 г. Изучены данные о противоопухолевых (L01) и противоопухолевых гормональных (L02) лекарственных препаратах, отпущенных в 2013 г. в субъектах РФ больным с диагнозом «злокачественные новообразования молочной железы» (C50 по международной классификации болезней 10-го пересмотра) в рамках программ лекарственного обеспечения за счет средств федерального и регионального бюджетов. Проанализировано потребление лекарственных препаратов, включенных и не включенных в стандарты медицинской помощи, перечни лекарственных препаратов, клинические рекомендации.Результаты. Количество препаратов, закупленных для больных РМЖ, варьировало в субъектах от трех до 39 МНН. Наиболее часто используемые противоопухолевые препараты – капецитабин и трастузумаб (использовались в 92,9% регионов), гормональные – ингибиторы ароматазы (анастрозол, летрозол, эксеместан) и тамоксифен (в 95,2-100% субъектов РФ). Потребление лекарственных препаратов значительно варьирует между регионами. В рамках программ лекарственного обеспечения закупались препараты как включенные, так и не включенные в перечни, стандарты и клинические рекомендации.Заключение. Выявлены значительные расхождения в потреблении лекарственной терапии среди больных РМЖ в различных регионах РФ в рамках лекарственного обеспечения льготных категорий граждан в амбулаторных условиях, а также потребление лекарственных препаратов, не упомянутых в клинических рекомендациях и не включенных в стандарты медицинской помощи и перечни лекарственных препаратов

Obesity and the Rate of Time Preference: Is there a Connection?

We hypothesize that recent trends in U.S. and worldwide obesity are, in part, related to an increase in the marginal rate of time preference, where time preference refers to the rate at which people are willing to trade current benefit for future benefit. The higher the rate of time preference, the larger is the factor by which individuals discount the future health risks associated with current consumption. Data from the United States, as well as international evidence, suggests that a relationship between these two variables is plausible. We encourage researchers to explore the possible link between obesity and time preference, as important insights are likely to result

Особенности распределения псефитового материала в верхнечетвертичных отложениях северной части Баренцева моря

The paper presents the characteristics of the coarse clasts (psephites, larger than 1 cm) sampled in the northern part of the Franz Victoria Trough (Barents Sea) during the “Transarktika-2019” expedition. The studied sedimentary section was formed during the transition from the last deglaciation environments to the marine Holocene settings. The amount of psephites in deglacial sediments is much higher than the one in Holocene sediments. The petrographic composition of the psephites, their roundness (according to Waddell and Khabakov classifications) and shape (according to Zingg classification) were studied in detail. It is shown that the majority of psephites is represented by non-rounded or poorly rounded varieties. Isometric and disc-type shapes are predominating among coarse clasts. Isometric psephites prevail in “deglacial sediments”, while disc-shaped, bladed, and rodlike, as a rule, are current in marine Holocene sediments. The petrographic composition of psephites is mostly represented with carbonate (limestone and dolomite) and sandstones. The amount of carbonates increases from the Holocene to the deglacial part of the sediment section. Other rocks found in smaller quantities are represented by quartzites, cherts, shales, basalts, crystalline schists, gneisses, granites, pyrite. During the last deglaciation at the Late Pleistocene the iceberg rafting was the main mechanism of psephites delivery to the sampling points. The major sources of the icebergs were Franz Josef Land and the Belyi — Victoria Islands region. Rocks of Franz Josef Land are represented mainly by Cretaceous gabbro-basalt complex and Triassic sandstones and siltstones. Upper Paleozoic terrigenous and carbonate rocks, as well as Proterozoic metamorphites, occur in the west of the studied area (the area of the Belyi — Victoria Islands). The results of studying the petrographic composition of psephites allow us to conclude that during the last deglaciation icebergs from both sources were heading north towards the Nansen Basin through the Franz Victoria Trough. Both streams of icebergs failed to reach the opposite sides of the Franz Victoria Trough, mixing with each other approximately in the axial part of the trough and leaving it in northern directions.В работе приведена характеристика псефитового (донно-каменного) материала, отобранного в северной части желоба Франц-Виктория в экспедиции «Трансарктика-2019». Показано, что основная масса псефитов представлена неокатанными или плохоокатанными разностями. Преобладают изометричные и уплощенные формы обломков. Петрографический состав преимущественно карбонатный (известняки и доломиты) и песчаный. Основной механизм доставки псефитов — айсберговый разнос в период последней дегляциации на рубеже плейстоцен-голоцен. Источниками айсбергов являлись Земля Франца-Иосифа и район островов Белый — Виктория. Породы Земли Франца-Иосифа представлены, главным образом, меловым габбро-базальтовым комплексом и триасовыми песчаниками и алевролитами. На западе изученной площади (район островов Белый — Виктория) залегают верхнепалеозойские терригенные и карбонатные породы, а также протерозойские метаморфиты. Айсберги из обоих источников направлялись на север в сторону котловины Нансена через желоб Франц-Виктория, причем айсберги со стороны Земли Франца-Иосифа практически не доходили до западного борта желоба

Like mother, like child : investigating perinatal and maternal health stress in post-medieval London.

Post-Medieval London (sixteenth-nineteenth centuries) was a stressful environment for the poor. Overcrowded and squalid housing, physically demanding and risky working conditions, air and water pollution, inadequate diet and exposure to infectious diseases created high levels of morbidity and low life expectancy. All of these factors pressed with particular severity on the lowest members of the social strata, with burgeoning disparities in health between the richest and poorest. Foetal, perinatal and infant skeletal remains provide the most sensitive source of bioarchaeological information regarding past population health and in particular maternal well-being. This chapter examined the evidence for chronic growth and health disruption in 136 foetal, perinatal and infant skeletons from four low-status cemetery samples in post-medieval London. The aim of this study was to consider the impact of poverty on the maternal-infant nexus, through an analysis of evidence of growth disruption and pathological lesions. The results highlight the dire consequences of poverty in London during this period from the very earliest moments of life

Enhanced presentation of MHC class Ia, Ib and class II-restricted peptides encapsulated in biodegradable nanoparticles: a promising strategy for tumor immunotherapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many peptide-based cancer vaccines have been tested in clinical trials with a limited success, mostly due to difficulties associated with peptide stability and delivery, resulting in inefficient antigen presentation. Therefore, the development of suitable and efficient vaccine carrier systems remains a major challenge.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To address this issue, we have engineered polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles incorporating: (i) two MHC class I-restricted clinically-relevant peptides, (ii) a MHC class II-binding peptide, and (iii) a non-classical MHC class I-binding peptide. We formulated the nanoparticles utilizing a double emulsion-solvent evaporation technique and characterized their surface morphology, size, zeta potential and peptide content. We also loaded human and murine dendritic cells (DC) with the peptide-containing nanoparticles and determined their ability to present the encapsulated peptide antigens and to induce tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) <it>in vitro</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We confirmed that the nanoparticles are not toxic to either mouse or human dendritic cells, and do not have any effect on the DC maturation. We also demonstrated a significantly enhanced presentation of the encapsulated peptides upon internalization of the nanoparticles by DC, and confirmed that the improved peptide presentation is actually associated with more efficient generation of peptide-specific CTL and T helper cell responses.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Encapsulating antigens in PLGA nanoparticles offers unique advantages such as higher efficiency of antigen loading, prolonged presentation of the antigens, prevention of peptide degradation, specific targeting of antigens to antigen presenting cells, improved shelf life of the antigens, and easy scale up for pharmaceutical production. Therefore, these findings are highly significant to the development of synthetic vaccines, and the induction of CTL for adoptive immunotherapy.</p

A New Mixed-Backbone Oligonucleotide against Glucosylceramide Synthase Sensitizes Multidrug-Resistant Tumors to Apoptosis

Enhanced ceramide glycosylation catalyzed by glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) limits therapeutic efficiencies of antineoplastic agents including doxorubicin in drug-resistant cancer cells. Aimed to determine the role of GCS in tumor response to chemotherapy, a new mixed-backbone oligonucleotide (MBO-asGCS) with higher stability and efficiency has been generated to silence human GCS gene. MBO-asGCS was taken up efficiently in both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cells, but it selectively suppressed GCS overexpression, and sensitized drug-resistant cells. MBO-asGCS increased doxorubicin sensitivity by 83-fold in human NCI/ADR-RES, and 43-fold in murine EMT6/AR1 breast cancer cells, respectively. In tumor-bearing mice, MBO-asGCS treatment dramatically inhibited the growth of multidrug-resistant NCI/ADR-RE tumors, decreasing tumor volume to 37%, as compared with scrambled control. Furthermore, MBO-asGCS sensitized multidrug-resistant tumors to chemotherapy, increasing doxorubicin efficiency greater than 2-fold. The sensitization effects of MBO-asGCS relied on the decreases of gene expression and enzyme activity of GCS, and on the increases of C18-ceramide and of caspase-executed apoptosis. MBO-asGCS was accumulation in tumor xenografts was greater in other tissues, excepting liver and kidneys; but MBO-asGCS did not exert significant toxic effects on liver and kidneys. This study, for the first time in vivo, has demonstrated that GCS is a promising therapeutic target for cancer drug resistance, and MBO-asGCS has the potential to be developed as an antineoplastic agent