Prenatal and postnatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants and Infant growth: A pooled analysis of seven european birth cohorts

Background: Infant exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) may contribute to obesity. However, many studies so far have been small, focused on transplacental exposure, used an inappropriate measure to assess postnatal exposure through breastfeeding if any, or did not discern between prenatal and postnatal effects. Objectives: We investigated prenatal and postnatal exposure to POPs and infant growth (a predictor of obesity). Methods: We pooled data from seven European birth cohorts with biomarker concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyl 153 (PCB-153) (n = 2,487), and p,p´-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p´-DDE) (n = 1,864), estimating prenatal and postnatal POPs exposure using a validated pharmacokinetic model. Growth was change in weight-for-age z-score between birth and 24 months. Per compound, multilevel models were fitted with either POPs total exposure from conception to 24 months or prenatal or postnatal exposure. Results: We found a significant increase in growth associated with p,p´-DDE, seemingly due to prenatal exposure (per interquartile increase in exposure, adjusted β = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.22). Due to heterogeneity across cohorts, this estimate cannot be considered precise, but does indicate that an association with infant growth is present on average. In contrast, a significant decrease in growth was associated with postnatal PCB-153 exposure (β = –0.10; 95% CI: –0.19, –0.01). Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the largest study to date of POPs exposure and infant growth, and it contains state-of-the-art exposure modeling. Prenatal p,p´-DDE was associated with increased infant growth, and postnatal PCB-153 with decreased growth at European exposure levels

Лечебно-диагностический алгоритм при очаговых тиреопатиях

Представлены современные данные о возможности развития тиреоидного рака на фоне доброкачественной патологии щитовидной железы, определены группы риска по развитию тиреоидных карцином. Разработан диагностический алгоритм своевременной и ранней диагностики рака щитовидной железы, предложены терапевтические подходы, направленные на предупреждение развития тиреоидного рака.Contemporary data about the possibility of thyroid carcinoma development against a background of thyroid pathology are presented. Risk groups of thyroid carcinoma development were determined. A diagnostic algorithm of timely and early diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma was worked out. Therapeutic approaches to prevention of thyroid cancer are suggested

Еволюція підходів до виділення факторів зміцнення конкурентних позицій підприємств

В статье исследовано развитие теоретической базы дисциплин, которые рассматривают конкурентное позиционирование предприятий. На основе обобщения дисциплинарных подходов к определению факторов укрепления конкурентных позиций предприятий выделено и охарактеризовано этапы развития последних. Сформулированы выводы относительно пригодности использования различных подходов для формирования адекватного современным условиям функционирования предприятий механизма достижения, поддержки и укрепления их конкурентных позиций.У статті досліджено розвиток теоретичної бази дисциплін, що розглядають конкурентне позиціонування підприємств. На основі узагальнення дисциплінарних підходів до визначення факторів зміцнення конкурентних позицій підприємств виділено та охарактеризовано етапи розвитку останніх. Сформульовано висновки відносно придатності використання різних підходів для формування адекватного сучасним умовам функціонування підприємств механізму досягнення, підтримки і зміцнення їх конкурентних позицій.Development of theoretical base of disciplines which examine the competition positioning is explored in the article. On the basis of generalization of disciplinary approaches to determination of factors of competition positions of enterprises it is selected and described the stages of development of it. Conclusions are formulated in relation to the fitness of the use of different approaches for forming of functioning of enterprises of mechanism of achievement, support and strengthening of their competition positions adequate to the modern terms

Response rate to accelerometry in the ongoing GINIplus study (date: June 2012).

<p>Response rate to accelerometry in the ongoing GINIplus study (date: June 2012).</p

Mean (SD), % and 95% CI of PA intensity levels (minutes/day).

*<p>Significant differences between boys and girls, *p<0.001, NWT-sport: non-wear time during sport activities with imputed data due to diary comments on type of sport, MVPA = moderate-to-vigorous activity.</p

Descriptive characteristics of adolescents.

*<p>Significant differences between boys and girls, mean (± SD), p<0.001.</p

Percentage of girls and boys with at least 60 minutes of MVPA according to weekday (Mon-Sun).

<p>Differences between days were not significant in boys and of borderline significance in girls (p<0.054). *Significant differences between boys and girls, p = 0.02.</p

Exclusion of recorded days due to quality control in the ongoing GINIplus study.

<p>(NWT: non-wear time, NWT-sport: non-wear time during sport activities, algorithm: NHANES algorithm for detecting NWT <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0065192#pone.0065192-National1" target="_blank">[33]</a>).</p