Breastfeeding and the anthropometric profile of children with sickle cell anemia receiving follow-up in a newborn screening reference service

AbstractObjectiveTo study the breastfeeding history (BF) and the anthropometric status of children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).MethodsA cross-sectional study of 357 children with SCD aged between 2 and 6 years, regularly followed at a Newborn Screening Reference Service (NSRS) between November 2007 and January 2009. The outcome was anthropometric status and the exposures were: BF pattern, type of hemoglobinopathy and child's age and gender.ResultsThe mean (SD) age was 3.7 (1.1) years, 52.9% were boys and 53.5% had SCA (hemoglobin SS). The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBR) up to six months of age was 31.5%, the median EBR times (p25-p75) was 90.0 (24.0-180.0) days and the median weaning ages (p25-p75) was 360.0 (90.0-720.0) days respectively. Normal W/H children experienced EBR for a mean duration almost four times longer than malnourished children (p=0.01), and were weaned later (p<0.05). Height deficit was found in 5.0% of children, while all the children with severe short stature had had SCA (hemoglobin SS) and were older than 4 years of age.ConclusionsEBF time and weaning age were greater than that found in the literature, which is a possible effect of the multidisciplinary follow-up. Duration of EBF and later weaning were associated with improved anthropometric indicators

Aleitamento materno e perfil antropométrico de crianças com doença falciforme acompanhadas em serviço de referência em triagem neonatal

Objetivo: descrever a história de aleitamento materno (AM) e estado antropométrico de crianças com doença falciforme (DF). Métodos: estudo transversal com 357 crianças com hemoglobinopatias SS e SC de dois e seis anos, acompanhadas regularmente num Serviço de Referência em Triagem Neonatal (SRTN) entre novembro de 2007 e janeiro de 2009. O desfecho correspondeu ao estado antropométrico e as exposições foram: padrão do AM, tipo de hemoglobinopatia, faixa etária e sexo da criança. Resultados: a média (DP) de idade observada foi de 3,7 (1,1) anos, 52,9% meninos e 53,5% com hemoglobinopatia SS. A prevalência de aleitamento materno exclusivo (AME) até o sexto mês foi de 31,5%, a mediana (p25-p75) do tempo de AME foi de 90 (24-180) dias e a mediana (p25-p75) da idade de desmame foi de 360 (90-720) dias. Crianças eutróficas em relação ao P/A tiveram o tempo de AME, em média, quase quatro vezes maior do que os desnutridos (p < 0,01), bem como foram desmamadas mais tarde (p < 0,05). O déficit de altura foi encontrado em 5% das crianças e todas as crianças com baixa estatura grave tinham hemoglobinopatia SS e mais de quatro anos. Conclusões: o tempo de AME e a idade de desmame foram superiores aos encontrados na literatura, possível efeito do acompanhamento multidisciplinar. A duração do AME e a idade mais tardia de desmame foram associadas a melhores indicadores antropométricos.Objective: to study the breastfeeding history (BF) and the anthropometric status of children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Methods: a cross-sectional study of 357 children with SCD aged between 2 and 6 years, regularly followed at a Newborn Screening Reference Service (NSRS) between November 2007 and January 2009. The outcome was anthropometric status and the exposures were: BF pattern, type of hemoglobinopathy and child's age and gender. Results: the mean (SD) age was 3.7 (1.1) years, 52.9% were boys and 53.5% had SCA (hemoglobin SS). The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBR) up to six months of age was 31.5%, the median EBR times (p25-p75) was 90.0 (24.0-180.0) days and the median weaning ages (p25-p75) was 360.0 (90.0-720.0) days respectively. Normal W/H children experienced EBR for a mean duration almost four times longer than malnourished children (p=0.01), and were weaned later (p<0.05). Height deficit was found in 5.0% of children, while all the children with severe short stature had had SCA (hemoglobin SS) and were older than 4 years of age. Conclusions: EBF time and weaning age were greater than that found in the literature, which is a possible effect of the multidisciplinary follow-up. Duration of EBF and later weaning were associated with improved anthropometric indicators

A Long-Term Conserved Satellite DNA That Remains Unexpanded in Several Genomes of Characiformes Fish Is Actively Transcribed

Eukaryotic genomes contain large amounts of repetitive DNA sequences, such as tandemly repeated satellite DNAs (satDNAs). These sequences are highly dynamic and tend to be genus- or species-specific due to their particular evolutionary pathways, although there are few unusual cases of conserved satDNAs over long periods of time. Here, we used multiple approaches to reveal that an satDNA named CharSat01-52 originated in the last common ancestor of Characoidei fish, a superfamily within the Characiformes order, ∼140-78 Ma, whereas its nucleotide composition has remained considerably conserved in several taxa. We show that 14 distantly related species within Characoidei share the presence of this satDNA, which is highly amplified and clustered in subtelomeric regions in a single species (Characidium gomesi), while remained organized as small clusters in all the other species. Defying predictions of the molecular drive of satellite evolution, CharSat01-52 shows similar values of intra- and interspecific divergence. Although we did not provide evidence for a specific functional role of CharSat01-52, its transcriptional activity was demonstrated in different species. In addition, we identified short tandem arrays of CharSat01-52 embedded within single-molecule real-time long reads of Astyanax paranae (536 bp-3.1 kb) and A. mexicanus (501 bp-3.9 kb). Such arrays consisted of head-to-tail repeats and could be found interspersed with other sequences, inverted sequences, or neighbored by other satellites. Our results provide a detailed characterization of an old and conserved satDNA, challenging general predictions of satDNA evolution

Additional file 1: of Hydrothermal Synthesis of Silver Vanadium Oxide (Ag0.35V2O5) Nanobelts for Sensing Amines

The TEM image of V 2 O 5 as a reactant is displayed in Fig. S1. The effects of SDS/V molar ratio on the morphology of the as-prepared nanobelts is shown in Fig. S2. Fig. S3 shows the stability of Ag0.35V2O5 nanostructure by calcining the material at 400 °C for 10 hours in air. Fig. S4 shows the response/revovery time for this material. The details can be seen in Supporting Information

Interleukin-17A+ cell counts are increased in systemic sclerosis skin and their number is inversely correlated with the extent of skin involvement

Levels of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) have been found to be increased in synovial fluid from individuals with systemic sclerosis (SSc). This study was undertaken to investigate whether IL-17A-producing cells are present in affected SSc skin, and whether IL-17A exerts a role in the transdifferentiation of myofibroblasts

Interrelationship between bone turnover markers and dietary calcium intake in pregnant women: A longitudinal study

This longitudinal study evaluated bone turnover and the interrelationship between changes in bone biomarkers and habitual dietary calcium intake during pregnancy in a group of women ranging widely with regard to dietary calcium intake. Thirty-nine healthy pregnant and 30 nonpregnant women were studied. Calcium, phosphorus, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25diHOD), bone alkaline phosphatase (bALP), carboxyterminal propeptides of type I procollagen (PICP) and carboxyterminal telopeptides of type I collagen (βCTX and ICTP) were measured in serum and calcium, and creatinine and aminoterminal telopeptide (NTX) were determined in urine. Serum calcium and phosphorus did not change but the urinary Ca/Creat ratio and 1,25diHOD increased throughout pregnancy (P NTX >ICTP. Serum 1,25 diHOD versus calcium intake showed a positive and significant correlation (r = 0.51, P < 0.02). A negative correlation between the absolute change in βCTX, NTX, and b-ALP between the third and second trimester and calcium intake at the end of pregnancy was observed in pregnant women who did not cover adequately calcium intake requirements (r = -0.47, P < 0.03; r = -0.41, P < 0.05; and r = -0.43, P < 0.05, respectively). These results suggest that skeletal response to pregnancy may not be entirely independent of maternal calcium intake, especially in women with usually low calcium intake. In summary, not only hormonal changes in calcium metabolism that occur during pregnancy but also other considerations, such as low dietary calcium intake, may lead to an increment in the biological activity of the skeleton. Additional studies must be conducted to confirm our findings and to gain a better understanding of skeletal response to a low calcium intake during pregnancy.Fil: Zeni, Susana Noemi. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. División Osteopatías; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo; ArgentinaFil: Soler, Carlos R. Ortela. Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Paroissien (higa Paroissien) ; Gobierno de la Provincia de Buenos Aires;Fil: Lazzari, Araceli. Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Paroissien (higa Paroissien) ; Gobierno de la Provincia de Buenos Aires;Fil: Lopez, Laura Beatriz. Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Paroissien (higa Paroissien) ; Gobierno de la Provincia de Buenos Aires;Fil: Suarez, Marisa. Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Paroissien (higa Paroissien) ; Gobierno de la Provincia de Buenos Aires;Fil: Di Gregorio, Silvana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. División Osteopatías; ArgentinaFil: Somoza, Julia Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín. División Osteopatías; ArgentinaFil: Pita Martín de Portela, María Luz. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquimica. Departamento de Sanidad Nutricion Bromatologia y Toxicologia. Catedra de Nutricion.; Argentin