Sibship Composition, Mealtime Behaviors, and the Weight Status of Early School-Age Children.

The objective of this dissertation was to examine the association between sibship composition and child weight status, and to investigate maternal feeding behavior, child eating behavior, and sibling interactions during mealtimes as pathways underlying this association. Three analytic samples (N=273, N=274, and N=75) were selected from an initial cohort of 301 mother-child dyads recruited from Head Start facilities in South-Central Michigan. Participants completed questionnaires, anthropometry, a videotaped laboratory mealtime observation, and 3 videotaped family mealtime observations at home. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the association of birth order and number and sex of siblings with odds of overweight or obesity. Path analysis was used to examine maternal feeding and child eating behavior as mediators in the association of birth order with child overweight or obesity. Sibling interactions during mealtimes were coded from the family mealtime observation videos, and path analysis was used to examine encouragements to eat received by the index child (IC) from the sibling as a mediator in the association of birth order and sex of sibling with child body mass index z-score (BMIz). Among the analytic sample of 273, only children and youngest siblings had higher odds of overweight or obesity compared to oldest siblings. Having younger siblings and having a brother were associated with lower odds. Among the analytic sample of 274, the association between only child status and greater likelihood of overweight or obesity was fully mediated by higher maternal discouragement to eat and lower maternal praise. The association between youngest sibling status and greater likelihood of overweight or obesity was partially mediated by lower maternal praise and lower child food fussiness. Among the analytic sample of 75, being the younger sibling in a sibling dyad was associated with the IC receiving more encouragements to eat from the sibling. However, the IC having a sister compared with a brother was not associated with receiving more encouragements to eat from the sibling. The IC receiving more encouragements to eat from the sibling was associated with lower IC BMIz. Findings can help inform family-based obesity programs by guiding recommendations for family mealtime interactions.PhDNutritional SciencesUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/113657/1/rmosli_1.pd

Anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities of date palm pollen (Phoenix dactylifera) on experimentally-induced atypical prostatic hyperplasia in rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Atypical prostatic hyperplasia (APH) is a pseudoneoplastic lesion that can mimic prostate adenocarcinoma because of its cytologic and architectural features. Suspension of date palm pollen (DPP) is an herbal mixture that is widely used in folk medicine for male infertility. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of DPP suspension and extract on APH-induced rats.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>APH was induced in adult castrated Wistar rats by both s.c. injection of testosterone (0.5 mg/rat/day) and smearing citral on shaved skin once every 3 days for 30 days. Saw palmetto (100mg/kg), DPP suspension (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg), and lyophilized DPP extract (150,300 and 600 mg/kg) were given orally daily for 30 days. All medications were started 7 days after castration and along with testosterone and citral.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The histopathological feature in APH-induced prostate rats showed evidence of hyperplasia and inflammation. Immunohistochemical examination revealed that the expressions of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IGF-1 and clusterin were increased, while the expression of TGF-β1 was decreased that correlates with presence of inflammation. Moreover, histopathological examination revealed increased cellular proliferation and reduced apoptosis in ventral prostate. Both saw palmetto and DPP treatment has ameliorated these histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in APH-induced rats. These improvements were not associated with reduction in the prostatic weight that may be attributed to the persistence of edema.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>DPP may have a potential protective effect in APH-induced Wistar rats through modulation of cytokine expression and/or upregulation of their autocrine/paracrine receptors.</p

Immunomodulatory Effect of Red Onion ( Allium cepa

Red onion scales (ROS) contain large amounts of flavonoids that are responsible for the reported antioxidant activity, immune enhancement, and anticancer property. Atypical prostatic hyperplasia (APH) was induced in adult castrated Wistar rats by both s.c. injection of testosterone (0.5 mg/rat/day) and by smearing citral on shaved skin once every 3 days for 30 days. Saw palmetto (100 mg/kg) as a positive control and ROS suspension at doses of 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg/day were given orally every day for 30 days. All medications were started 7 days after castration and along with testosterone and citral. The HPLC profile of ROS methanolic extract displayed two major peaks identified as quercetin and quercetin-4′-β-O-D-glucoside. Histopathological examination of APH-induced prostatic rats revealed evidence of hyperplasia and inflammation with cellular proliferation and reduced apoptosis Immunohistochemistry showed increased tissue expressions of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IGF-1, and clusterin, while TGF-β1 was decreased, which correlates with the presence of inflammation. Both saw palmetto and RO scale treatment have ameliorated these changes. These ameliorative effects were more evident in RO scale groups and were dose dependent. In conclusion, methanolic extract of ROS showed a protective effect against APH induced rats that may be attributed to potential anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects

Review Article: Practical Aspects of Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome in Clinical Urology

In this review we describe the clinical manifestations associated with testosterone deficiency in aging men, termed the testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS). Since aging men suffer from multiple urological and andrological symptoms, TDS is an important medical condition to be suspected, recognized, clinically and biochemically diagnosed and therefore effectively and successfully treated

Influence of onabotulinumtoxin A on testes of the growing rat

Onabotulinumtoxin A (onabotA) is gaining wide medical use in children. However, little is known about its potential testicular effects. The present study was planned to investigate the influence of its injection on the maturing testicular structures in rats. Immature rats were injected in the peritesticular area by onabotA with three doses of (10, 20 and 40 U/kg) three times in a two-week interval. The effect of these injections on fertility indices (sperm parameters, semen quality and testosterone levels) was examined. In addition, levels of antisperm antibodies and several apoptosis parameters were investigated. DNA content in form of ploidy was compared to control group via flow cytometric analysis

Immunomodulatory Effect of Red Onion (Allium cepa Linn) Scale Extract on Experimentally Induced Atypical Prostatic Hyperplasia in Wistar Rats

Red onion scales (ROS) contain large amounts of flavonoids that are responsible for the reported antioxidant activity, immune enhancement, and anticancer property. Atypical prostatic hyperplasia (APH) was induced in adult castrated Wistar rats by both s.c. injection of testosterone (0.5 mg/rat/day) and by smearing citral on shaved skin once every 3 days for 30 days. Saw palmetto (100 mg/kg) as a positive control and ROS suspension at doses of 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg/day were given orally every day for 30 days. All medications were started 7 days after castration and along with testosterone and citral. The HPLC profile of ROS methanolic extract displayed two major peaks identified as quercetin and quercetin-4′-β-O-D-glucoside. Histopathological examination of APH-induced prostatic rats revealed evidence of hyperplasia and inflammation with cellular proliferation and reduced apoptosis Immunohistochemistry showed increased tissue expressions of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IGF-1, and clusterin, while TGF-β1 was decreased, which correlates with the presence of inflammation. Both saw palmetto and RO scale treatment have ameliorated these changes. These ameliorative effects were more evident in RO scale groups and were dose dependent. In conclusion, methanolic extract of ROS showed a protective effect against APH induced rats that may be attributed to potential anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects