Matlab Simulations of Exchange Rate Behavior using a Monetary Model with Flexible Prices

This paper aims to create a short summary of theories on exchange rate formation mechanism and illustrating the connection between domestic and foreign interest rates and the exchange rate. For this we chose a monetary model with flexible prices, with which we traced the evolution trajectories of the exchange rate, under the influence of internal and external factors

EVALUATING INSULIN RESISTANCE IN CHILDREN: A CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF MINIMAL MODELS

Childhood obesity has followed, during the last two decades, an ascending trend. Insulin resistance (IR) is central to the pathophysiology of obesity. So far, several methods of assessing IR have been proposed. We aimed to evaluate critically some of the simplest methods used to assess IR in the pediatric population. We studied retrospectively the records of children evaluated for obesity in the “Louis Ţurcanu” Emergency Hospital for Children Timişoara, over a period of 10 years. The study population consisted of 342 children. Anthropometric and metabolic variables were analyzed, and the following indices of IR were assessed: impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), Homeostatic Model of Assesment-IR (HOMA-IR), Homeostatic Model of Assesment- b (HOMAβ), Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) as well as the TG/HDLc ratio. Data was expresed as frequencies, means ± standard deviations or median ± interquartile interval for or a 95% confi dence interval. The t-test for independent groups or the Mann-Whitney test to assess differences of IR indices across weight, gender and pubertal categories. HOMA-IR diagnosed the most children with IR, at the opposite pole we found QUICKI. IGT was a rare fi nding. It is necessary to reconsider how we assess the carbohydrate metabolism in children. Of the methods we evaluated, HOMA-IR is the optimal method for assessing IR children

Comorbidity and Health Condition – the Necessity for Integrated Care

Comorbidity has become a global health problem, a phenomenon which equally affects developing and developed countries. Comorbidity is associated with an increase of morbidity, mortality, has a strong impact on economy and is multidimensional in the frame of mental health and beyond. Management of comorbidity requires an integrated approach; community related and also focused on person, who takes into account medical, psychiatric and contextual factors

Acromegaly without acral anomalies

Early recognition of a pituitary secretor tumor offers a better prognostic; thus acromegaly might be recognized before the actual clinical picture of acromegaly is detectable. This is a 59-year old, non-smoking female admitted for: post-operatory evaluation of acromegaly. The clinical evaluation is non-specific. One year prior she was diagnosed with acromegaly based on cerebral imaging assessment due to intermittent headache. She was treated with cabergoline a few months before neurosurgery was done; post-operatory panel showed complete remission of acromegaly. Prompt detection of the disease allowed the early intervention with a very good outcome. The remission of GH excess after neurosurgery depends on tumor size and practical experience of the surgeon. The longer time of high growth hormone levels exposure the higher is the risk of cardio-metabolic and oncologic complications

ORAL HEALTH AND TREATMENT NEED IN PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA

More and more elderly folks are living with dementia and yet have their natural teeth. The purpose of this systematic review is to present the available literature on the topic of dental hygiene and oral health in dementia patients aged 65 and up. Results for periodontitis, plaque, gingival bleeding, and help with dental care were all higher in the dementia-related older adults whose studies were considered. Dementia in the elderly is associated with decreased saliva production, stomatitis, and candidiasis

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in PEMT and MTHFR Genes are Associated with Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acid Levels in the Red Blood Cells of Children with Obesity

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play important roles in health and disease. PUFA levels are influenced by nutrition and genetic factors. The relationship between PUFA composition in red blood cells (RBCs) and genetic variations involved in PUFA metabolism has not been investigated in children with obesity. This study evaluated the association between several genetic variations and PUFA levels in RBCs in children with obesity. One hundred ninety-six children with obesity (101 females, 95 males) were evaluated using anthropometric measurements, dietary intakes, plasma and RBC PUFA quantification, blood biochemistry, and 55 single nucleotide polymorphisms within 14 genes. phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) rs1109859 and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) rs4846052 genotypes were associated with PUFA levels in RBCs. PUFA intake did not influence the RBC eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels. Higher RBC DHA and EPA levels were observed for PEMT rs1109859 GG and GA genotypes versus the AA genotype. Higher levels of RBC DHA, EPA, arachidonic acid (ARA), and linoleic acid (LA) and were observed for MTHFR rs4846052 TT genotype versus TC and CC genotypes. Genetic variations in PEMT rs1109859 and MTHFR rs4846052 were associated with different PUFA levels in RBC membranes and are estimators for PUFA species in RBCs. Further research is needed to establish whether these genotype-specific alterations are specific to overweight children