2015 Seychelles global school-based student health survey

Introduction : Risky behaviors in school‐aged children, such as unhealthy dietary patterns, lack of physical activity, cigarette smoking, alcohol and substance use, sexual behavior, can impact their health in the short and long terms. This survey aimed to assess the prevalence of selected risk behaviors and protective factors in students aged 13‐15 years. Methods: The Global School‐based Student Health Survey (GSHS) was conducted in September 2015 in Seychelles. Methods followed the standard methodology of GSHS developed by the World Health Organization, the Centers of Disease Prevention and Control (Atlanta, USA) and other international agencies. A two‐stage cluster sample was used to include a random sample of students in grades S1 to S5, i.e. students aged 11 to 17 years. Students completed a self reported questionnaire, which was anonymous, which included questions from several standard modules of GSHS. In addition, weight and height was measured on the day before the survey and students were asked to report their results in their anonymous response forms

Flow injection determination of total catechins and procyanidins in white and red wines

An easily automatable flow-injection (FI) method for the determination of total catechins is reported. The method is based on the reaction of vanillin in acid medium to yield a coloured product with maximum absorption at 500 nm. After optimisation by the univariate and multivariate approaches as required, the linear range was established (between 10 and 90 mgL-1 and 10 and 250 mgL-1 for white and red wines, respectively). Then, the assessment of the proposed versus the reference method was studied in terms of repeatability (2.57 mgL-1), reproducibility (3.56 mgL-1) (no significant differences were found), detection and quantification limits (not far from those of the reference method and always sufficient for the determination of catechins in any type of wine), traceability (excellent correlation under all conditions) and sample throughput (23 samples h-1 for the proposed method versus 3 samples h-1 for the reference method)

2015 Seychelles Global Youth Tobacco Survey and comparison with GYTS in 2007 and 2002

OBJECTIVES: The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) is aimed to assess behaviors, knowledge, beliefs, opinions and other variables related to tobacco use among students of secondary schools aged 13‐15 years in countries worldwide using a standard methodology and questionnaire. METHODS: We present the main findings of GYTS performed in Seychelles in 2015 and compare results with results of two previous GYTS surveys done in Seychelles in 2007 and 2002 in order to identify trends over time. In each GYTS, a two‐stage cluster sample design was used to produce a representative sample of all students in grades S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 from all public and private schools in Seychelles. Participants completed a standard self‐administered questionnaire in schools on an anonymous and voluntary basis

Imaging the Inner and Outer Gaps of the Pre-Transitional Disk of HD 169142 at 7 mm

We present Very Large Array observations at 7 mm that trace the thermal emission of large dust grains in the HD 169142 protoplanetary disk. Our images show a ring of enhanced emission of radius ~25-30 AU, whose inner region is devoid of detectable 7 mm emission. We interpret this ring as tracing the rim of an inner cavity or gap, possibly created by a planet or a substellar companion. The ring appears asymmetric, with the western part significantly brighter than the eastern one. This azimuthal asymmetry is reminiscent of the lopsided structures that are expected to be produced as a consequence of trapping of large dust grains. Our observations also reveal an outer annular gap at radii from ~40 to ~70 AU. Unlike other sources, the radii of the inner cavity, the ring, and the outer gap observed in the 7 mm images, which trace preferentially the distribution of large (mm/cm sized) dust grains, coincide with those obtained from a previous near-infrared polarimetric image, which traces scattered light from small (micron- sized) dust grains. We model the broad-band spectral energy distribution and the 7 mm images to constrain the disk physical structure. From this modeling we infer the presence of a small (radius ~0.6 AU) residual disk inside the central cavity, indicating that the HD 169142 disk is a pre-transitional disk. The distribution of dust in three annuli with gaps in between them suggests that the disk in HD 169142 is being disrupted by at least two planets or substellar objects.Comment: Accepted by ApJ Letters, 16 pages, 3 figures, ApJ Letters 201

Recyclable NHC catalyst for the development of a generalized approach to continuous Buchwald-Hartwig reaction and work-up

A generalized approach to the optimization and implementation of Buchwald-Hartwig reactions in flow is reported, through the combination of three key factors: a highly active palladium catalyst; a universal approach for continuous work-up and purification, and a methodology for catalyst recycling and reuse. The palladium N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) pre-catalyst [Pd(IPr*)(cin)Cl] 4 (IPr* = 1,3-bis(2,6-bis(diphenylmethyl)-4-methylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene; cin = η3-cinnamyl) is an excellent choice for continuous Buchwald-Hartwig reactions, due to its inherent high activity and stability. In preparation for running this reaction in flow (published concurrently), a detailed study has been carried out into its water stability, ultimately allowing the recycling of the catalyst in the organic phase up to 3 times in batch mode. A “right-first-time” work-up methodology has also been developed, resulting in a universal protocol that allows the selective extraction of the Buchwald-Hartwig product into the aqueous stream as a salt, while retaining the aryl bromide starting material in the organic stream with the catalyst, thus negating the requirement for further purification. It is therefore envisaged that this approach will particularly amenable to exploitation in the Pharmaceutical industry. An optimized, scalable synthesis of [Pd(IPr*)(cin)Cl] is also reported on multi-hundred gram scale

Strong Lensing Analysis of A1689 from Deep Advanced Camera Images

We analyse deep multi-colour Advanced Camera images of the largest known gravitational lens, A1689. Radial and tangential arcs delineate the critical curves in unprecedented detail and many small counter-images are found near the center of mass. We construct a flexible light deflection field to predict the appearance and positions of counter-images. The model is refined as new counter-images are identified and incorporated to improve the model, yielding a total of 106 images of 30 multiply lensed background galaxies, spanning a wide redshift range, 1.0$<$z$<$5.5. The resulting mass map is more circular in projection than the clumpy distribution of cluster galaxies and the light is more concentrated than the mass within $r<50kpc/h$. The projected mass profile flattens steadily towards the center with a shallow mean slope of $d\log\Sigma/d\log r \simeq -0.55\pm0.1$, over the observed range, r$<250kpc/h$, matching well an NFW profile, but with a relatively high concentration, $C_{vir}=8.2^{+2.1}_{-1.8}$. A softened isothermal profile ($r_{core}=20\pm2$\arcs) is not conclusively excluded, illustrating that lensing constrains only projected quantities. Regarding cosmology, we clearly detect the purely geometric increase of bend-angles with redshift. The dependence on the cosmological parameters is weak due to the proximity of A1689, $z=0.18$, constraining the locus, $\Omega_M+\Omega_{\Lambda} \leq 1.2$. This consistency with standard cosmology provides independent support for our model, because the redshift information is not required to derive an accurate mass map. Similarly, the relative fluxes of the multiple images are reproduced well by our best fitting lens model.Comment: Accepted by ApJ. For high quality figures see http://wise-obs.tau.ac.il/~kerens/A168

In vivo 18F-flortaucipir PET does not accurately support the staging of progressive supranuclear palsy

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by neuro-glial tau pathology. A new staging system for PSP pathology at post-mortem has been described and validated. We used a data-driven approach to test whether post-mortem pathological staging in PSP can be reproduced in vivo with 18F-flortaucipir PET. Methods: N=42 patients with probable PSP and N=39 controls underwent 18F-flortaucipir PET. Conditional inference tree analyses on regional binding potential values identified absent/present pathology thresholds to define in vivo staging. Following the staging system for PSP pathology, the combination of absent/present values across all regions was evaluated to assign each participant to in vivo stages. Analysis of variance was applied to analyse differences among means of disease severity between stages. In vivo staging was compared with post-mortem staging in N=9 patients who also had post-mortem confirmation of the diagnosis and stage. Results: Stage assignment was estimable in 41 patients: N=10 patients were classified in stage I/II, N=26 in stage III/IV, N=5 in stage V/VI, while N=1 was not classifiable. An explorative sub-staging identified N=2 patients in stage I, N=8 in stage II, N=9 in stage III, N=17 in stage IV and N=5 in stage V. However, the nominal 18F-flortaucipir derived stage was not associated with clinical severity and was not indicative of pathology staging at post-mortem. Conclusion: 18F-flortaucipir PET in vivo does not correspond to neuropathological staging in PSP. This analytic approach, seeking to mirror in vivo the neuropathology staging with PET-to-autopsy correlational analyses might enable in vivo staging with next-generation PET tracers for tau, but further evidence and comparison with post-mortem data are needed.This study was co-funded by the Cambridge University Centre for Parkinson-Plus (RG95450); the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre (BRC-1215-20014), including their financial support for the Cambridge Brain Bank; the PSP Association (“MAPT-PSP” award); the Alzheimer’s Research UK East-Network pump priming grant; the Wellcome trust (220258); the Medical Research Council (MR/P01271X/1; G1100464); the Association of British Neurologists, Patrick Berthoud Charitable Trust (RG99368); Alzheimer’s Society (443 AS JF 18017); the Evelyn Trust (RG84654), and RCUK/UKRI (via a Research Innovation Fellowship awarded by the Medical Research Council to CHWG - MR/R007446/1); the Guarantors of Brain (G101149). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care

SURF1 deficiency causes demyelinating Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Objective: To investigate whether mutations in the SURF1 gene are a cause of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. Methods: We describe 2 patients from a consanguineous family with demyelinating autosomal recessive CMT disease (CMT4) associated with the homozygous splice site mutation c.107-2A>G in the SURF1 gene, encoding an assembly factor of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex IV. This observation led us to hypothesize that mutations in SURF1 might be an unrecognized cause of CMT4, and we investigated SURF1 in a total of 40 unrelated patients with CMT4 after exclusion of mutations in known CMT4 genes. The functional impact of c.107-2A>G on splicing, amount of SURF1 protein, and on complex IV activity and assembly was analyzed. Results: Another patient with CMT4 was found to harbor 2 additional SURF1 mutations. All 3 patients with SURF1-associated CMT4 presented with severe childhood-onset neuropathy, motor nerve conduction velocities G mutation produced no normally spliced transcript, leading to SURF1 absence. However, complex IV remained partially functional in muscle and fibroblasts. Conclusions: We found SURF1 mutations in 5% of families (2/41) presenting with CMT4. SURF1 should be systematically screened in patients with childhood-onset severe demyelinating neuropathy and additional features such as lactic acidosis, brain MRI abnormalities, and cerebellar ataxia developing years after polyneuropathy

How is Perceived Community Cohesion and Membership in Community Groups Associated with Children’s Dietary Adequacy in Disadvantaged Communities? A Case of the Indian Sundarbans

Background: Membership in community groups and a sense of community cohesion may facilitate collective action in mobilizing resources towards better health outcomes. This paper explores the relationship of these factors, along with individual level socio-economic variables, to dietary adequacy among children below 6 years of age, a proximate determinant of child malnutrition. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in Patharpratima block of the Sundarbans in West Bengal, India, using a two-stage, 30 cluster random sampling design. In 1200 sampled households, we used a structured questionnaire to interview mothers of children below 6 years of age on their child’s nutritional intake. We also interviewed household heads to assess perceived community cohesion using a nine item scale, membership in any community self-help organization, and other socio-economic determinants. We used a logistic regression model to assess their association with a minimum acceptable diet among children between 6 months to 6 years. Results: Only 9.33 % children between 6 and 71 months of age received a minimum acceptable diet. With each increase in the perceived community cohesion score (scale 0-9), a child is 1.31 times more likely to have minimum acceptable diet (95 % CI 1.14, 1.50). The odds of minimum acceptable diet were also higher among children whose mothers had primary education (2.09, 95 % CI 1.03, 2.94) as compared to illiterate mothers and in households with surplus food resources (2.72, 95 % CI 1.32, 5.58) as compared to those without surplus or deficit. In contrast, registering at an Anganwadi (government early child development) centre (odds ratio 1.34 95 % CI 0.69, 2.60) and community membership (odds ratio 0.93, 95 % CI 0.59, 1.46) were not associated with minimum acceptable diet. Conclusion: The results are consistent with what is known about the importance of maternal education and access to food resources in ensuring that children have a minimum acceptable diet. Perceived community cohesion seems to play a positive role in children’s diets. Further research needs to clarify which community characteristics and services are the most relevant, how they can better support children’s diets, and how interventions can strengthen these community characteristics and services