Possible Health Implications and Low Vitamin D Status during Childhood and Adolescence: An Updated Mini Review

Vitamin D deficiency is common in the developing countries and exists in both childhood and adult life. The great importance of Vitamin D is the moderation of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) homeostasis as well as the absorption of Ca. While insufficiency of vitamin D is a significant contributing factor to risk of rickets in childhood, it is possible that a more marginal deficiency of vitamin D during life span contribute to osteoporosis as well as potentially to the development and various other chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. This paper reviews the metabolism, epidemiology, and treatment of vitamin D and calcium insufficiency as well as its relation to various diseases during childhood and adolescence

Relation of neck circumference with total body fat and BMI

© 2016 Bentham Science Publishers. Purpose: The prevalence of obesity in United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reached alarming rates during the last decade. Neck Circumference (NC) is a simple measure that can identify obesity levels. However, no studies in UAE so far have studied the connection of NC with other anthropometric measurements. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between NC and obesity. Methods: Two hundred and forty-three female students participated in the study. Anthropometric data was also collected from all subjects. The study was approved by the ethical committee of the university and a consent form was signed by all participating subjects. Results: Based on under the area curve (AUC), obesity was defined with NC \u3e31.25cm. Pearson correlation analysis showed a significantly moderate relationship between obesity and BMI (r=0.454, P31 cm may be used as a cut off level for determining obesity in female college students. TBF and BMI were also independently associated with NC

Breast Cancer Awareness Among Zayed University Female Students

Background/Aim : Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among female population worldwide. In the United Arab Emirates, breast cancer accounts for 31-43% of all cancer types. Recently, breast cancer incidence has declined as a result of development of better diagnostic techniques. Good knowledge and awareness about early detection of signs and symptoms of the disease are the most important keys for reducing morbidity and mortality. This study aims to evaluate the level of awareness about the risk factors of breast cancer, as well as, the knowledge about screening methods among female students at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi. Method: Â A random cross-sectional survey was carried to evaluate the level of awareness about breast cancer among female students at Zayed University. A total of 100 females aged 18 “31 from different colleges were included in the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21 program. Chi- square test was used together with Fisher\u27s exact test, as appropriate. P value \u3c0.05 was considered significant. Results: The results show that there is a lack of knowledge and awareness about the risk factors for breast cancer. Only 12% of the participants knew that physical inactivity is a risk factor. However, 29% of the participants knew that obesity is a risk factor. Knowledge about screening methods was poor and varied according to the marital and educational status of the students. Only 17% of the total participants have done breast self-examination. Single women had less frequently performed breast self-examination compared to married women Although 40% of the participants knew about ultra sound, only 22% of the students did have the knowledge about the proper age of mammogram screening. Conclusion: The results point to the lack of awareness among female students about breast cancer, the risk factors and screening methods. Therefore, effective educational programs are required to improve the knowledge level of university students regarding breast cancer and related practices

Breast Cancer Awareness Among Zayed University Female Students

Background/Aim: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among female population worldwide. In the United Arab Emirates, breast cancer accounts for 31-43% of all cancer types. Recently, breast cancer incidence has declined as a result of development of better diagnostic techniques. Good knowledge and awareness about early detection of signs and symptoms of the disease are the most important keys for reducing morbidity and mortality. This study aims to evaluate the level of awareness about the risk factors of breast cancer, as well as, the knowledge about screening methods among female students at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi. Method:  A random cross-sectional survey was carried to evaluate the level of awareness about breast cancer among female students at Zayed University. A total of 100 females aged 18–31 from different colleges were included in the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21 program. Chi- square test was used together with Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate. P value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The results show that there is a lack of knowledge and awareness about the risk factors for breast cancer. Only 12% of the participants knew that physical inactivity is a risk factor. However, 29% of the participants knew that obesity is a risk factor. Knowledge about screening methods was poor and varied according to the marital and educational status of the students. Only 17% of the total participants have done breast self-examination. Single women had less frequently performed breast self-examination compared to married women Although 40% of the participants knew about ultra sound, only 22% of the students did have the knowledge about the proper age of mammogram screening. Conclusion: The results point to the lack of awareness among female students about breast cancer, the risk factors and screening methods. Therefore, effective educational programs are required to improve the knowledge level of university students regarding breast cancer and related practices

Association of iron depletion with menstruation and dietary intake indices in pubertal girls: The healthy growth study

The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations of iron depletion (ID) with menstrual blood losses, lifestyle, and dietary habits, in pubertal girls. The study sample comprised 1222 girls aged 9-13 years old. Biochemical, anthropometrical, dietary, clinical, and physical activity data were collected. Out of 274 adolescent girls with menses, 33.5% were found to be iron depleted (defined as serum ferritin \u3c 12 g/L) compared to 15.9% out of 948 girls without menses. Iron-depleted girls without menses were found to have lower consumption of poultry (P = 0.017) and higher consumption of fruits (P = 0.044) and fast food (P = 0.041) compared to their peers having normal iron status. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that girls with menses were 2.57 (95% CI: 1.37, 4.81) times more likely of being iron depleted compared to girls with no menses. Iron depletion was found to be associated with high calcium intake, high consumption of fast foods, and low consumption of poultry and fruits. Menses was the only factor that was found to significantly increase the likelihood of ID in these girls. More future research is probably needed in order to better understand the role of diet and menses in iron depletion. © 2013 George Moschonis et al

Assessment and analysis of arteriovenous fistulae sound in hemodialysis patients

Background: Clinical examination of generated bruit and thrill represents the easiest and most popular method of assessment for the arteriovenous fistula function. The aim of this study was to assess and analyze sound frequency and sound intensity of the produced bruit, with the assist of a computerized method, in order to build an objective, easy-to-perform, bedside technique of fistula function evaluation. Methods: A total of 149 prevalent hemodialysis patients with functioning (n=121), or non-functioning (n=28) native upper-arm AVF were included in the study. They underwent sound analysis of the bruit generated from the AVF prior to the mid-week dialysis session, with the use of an electronic stethoscope (sensitivity 20-20,000Hz) connected to a portable computer. Sound files were created and Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) was used in order to further process the recordings. In a subset of 51 patients, fistula function and blood flow in ml/min was assessed with a standard color Doppler ultrasound examination in order to validate the sound analysis recordings. Results: The mean age of the patients was 63.5 ± 14.3 years and the median vintage time 39.6 (range 1 to 200) months. The analysis of sound revealed that minimum sound intensity varied from -71.9 to -2.29 dB (mean -16.8 dB; median -14.9dB), and the maximum sound intensity varied from -18.4 to -0.49 dB (mean -3.2 dB; median - 1.0 dB). In the subset of patients that underwent a Doppler test, the mean blood flow was 857.7 ± 448.3 ml/min and was significantly correlated with maximum sound intensity (r=0.563; p=0,012). The ROC curve revealed an area under the curve of 0.849 (CI: 0.72-0.97); p= 0.000019, conferring a sensitivity of 79.2% and a specificity of 89.9% when using a cut-off value of -10.06 dB in sound intensity for the discrimination between well-functioning (blood flow ≥600 ml/min) and malfunctioning fistulas. Conclusions: This study is the first attempt of computer assisted sound assessment of the AVF bruit. Sound analysis with this method is simple, inexpensive, and a valid estimation of AVF function.Η κλινική εκτίμηση του ροίζου και του ήχου που παράγεται σε μία αρτηριοφλεβική αναστόμωση, αποτελεί τη δημοφιλέστερη και ευκολότερη μέθοδο εκτίμησης της λειτουργίας της fistulae. Ο σκοπός της παρούσας μελέτης ήταν η ανάλυση της έντασης και της συχνότητας του ήχου που παράγεται στη fistula με τη βοήθεια ηλεκτρονικού υπολογιστή. Μεθοδολογία: Στη μελέτη συμμετείχαν 149 ενήλικοι αιμοκαθαιρόμενοι ασθενείς. Οι αναστομώσεις αφορούσαν την κατ’ αγκώνα άρθρωση και λειτουργούσαν σε 121 και δυσλειτουργούσαν σε 28. Για την καταγραφή του φυσήματος χρησιμοποιήθηκε ένα ηλεκτρονικό στηθοσκόπιο, του οποίου η ευαισθησία κυμαινόταν μεταξύ 20 και 20000 Hz, το οποίο συνδεόταν σε φορητό ηλεκτρονικό υπολογιστή, όπου και γινόταν καταγραφή του αρχείου. Η ανάλυση των αρχείων ήχου έγινε με τη χρήση του Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT). Σε 51 από τους ασθενείς η λειτουργία της αναστόμωσης ελέγχθηκε με τη βοήθεια έγχρωμου υπερήχου Doppler και έγινε μέτρηση της ροής του αίματος σε ml/min, με σκοπό τον έλεγχο της μεθόδου. Αποτελέσματα: Η μέση ηλικία των ασθενών ήταν 63.5 ± 14.3 έτη και ο διάμεσος χρόνος στην αιμοκάθαρση ήταν 39.6 (από 1 ως 200) μήνες. Η ανάλυση του ήχου ανέδειξε ότι η ένταση του ήχου κυμαινόταν από - 71.9 ως -2.29 dB (mean -16.8 dB; median -14.9 dB), και η μέγιστη ένταση του ήχου κυμαινόταν από -18.4 ως -0.49 dB (mean -3.2 dB; median -1.0 dB). Στην ομάδα των ασθενών που υποβλήθηκαν σε υπερηχογραφικό έλεγχο Doppler, η μέση ροή αίματος ήταν 857.7 ± 448.3 ml/min και παρουσίασε στατιστικά σημαντική συσχέτιση με τη ροή του αίματος (r=0.563; p=0,012). Η καμπύλη ROC ανέδειξε μία σημαντική περιοχή κάτω από την καμπύλη, της τάξης του 0.849 (CI: 0.72-0.97); p= 0.000019, προσδίδοντας μία ευαισθησία ίση με 79.2% και ειδικότητα ίση με 89.9% όταν χρησιμοποιούταν σαν τιμή αποκοπής (cut-off value) τα -10.06 dB για τη διάκριση μεταξύ καλά λειτουργουσών (ροή αίματος ≥600 ml/min) ή μη αναστομώσεων. Συμπεράσματα: Αυτή η μελέτη αποτελεί την πρώτη οργανωμένη προσπάθεια ανάλυσης των χαρακτηριστικών του ήχου που παράγεται σε μία αρτηριοφλεβική αναστόμωση. Η ανάλυση του ήχου αποτελεί μία απλή, ανέξοδη και αξιόπιστη μέθοδο για την αδρή εκτίμηση της λειτουργίας της fistula