Prevalence of overweight, obesity and underweight among 3rd grade students of primary schools taking into account regional differences

WSTĘP. Zarówno nadmiar, jak i niedobór masy ciała wpływa negatywnie nie tylko na zdrowie i rozwój dzieci i młodzieży, ale również na zdrowie w życiu dorosłym, zwiększając ryzyko wystąpienia przewlekłych chorób niezakaźnych i niesprawności. Na stan odżywienia wpływa wiele czynników, a częstość występowania zaburzeń stanu odżywienia u dzieci i młodzieży narasta w wielu krajach na świecie i w Europie, w tym także w Polsce. MATERIAŁ I METODY. Badaniem przeprowadzonym w 2010 roku objęto łącznie 1255 uczniów w wieku 9 lat (627 dziewcząt i 628 chłopców) z terenu pięciu województw: mazowieckiego, podkarpackiego, opolskiego, pomorskiego i wielkopolskiego. Na podstawie pomiarów wysokości i masy ciała dzieci obliczono wskaźnik masy ciała (BMI). Stan odżywienia oceniono według kryteriów Cole’a i wsp. WYNIKI. Niedobór masy ciała stwierdzono u 11,5% dziewcząt i 8% chłopców, nadwagę u 18,7% dziewcząt i 17,2% chłopców, zaś otyłość u 4,1% dziewcząt i 6,5% chłopców. Największy odsetek otyłych dzieci występował w województwach mazowieckim i pomorskim, zaś dzieci z nadwagą — w województwach mazowieckim i opolskim. Najniższy odsetek dzieci z nadwagą i otyłością odnotowano w województwie podkarpackim. Nie zaobserwowano znaczących różnic w występowaniu niedoboru masy ciała między województwami. WNIOSKI. Stopień występowania nadwagi i otyłości u dzieci w poszczególnych regionach kraju był zróżnicowany. Największą częstotliwość występowania nadwagi i otyłości stwierdzono w województwie mazowieckim, a najniższą — w podkarpackim. We wszystkich objętych badaniem województwach częstość występowania nadmiernej masy ciała była wyższa niż występowania niedoboru masy ciała. Analiza regionalnych różnic w zakresie częstości występowania otyłości, nadwagi i niedoboru masy ciała u dzieci i młodzieży może wskazać kierunek ogólnopolskich i lokalnych działań mających na celu zmniejszenie rozbieżności wynikających ze stanu odżywienia.INTRODUCTION. Obesity, overweight and underweight affects not only health and development of children and adolescents, but also affects health in adulthood by increasing the risk of chronic noncommunicable diseases and disability. The nutritional status is affected by many factors and the incidence of nutritional disorders in children and adolescents is growing in many countries around the world and Europe, including Poland. Material and methods. The study conducted in 2010 covered a total of 1255 students aged 9 years (627 girls and 628 boys) from the area of five provinces of Poland: Masovian, Subcarpathian, Opole, Pomeranian and Greater Poland. Based on measurements of high and weight of children the body mass index was calculated. Nutritional status was assessed according to criteria of Cole et al. RESULTS. Underweight was found in 11.5% of girls and 8% of boys, overweight in 18.7% of girls and 17.2% of boys, obesity in 4.1% of girls and 6.5% of boys. The highest percentage of obese children has appeared in Masovian and Pomeranian provinces, while overweight children in Masovian and Opole provinces. The lowest percentage of children with overweight and obesity was observed in Subcarpathian province. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of weight deficiency among regions. CONCLUSIONS. The degree of overweight and obesity among children in different regions of Poland was varied. The highest incidence of overweight and obesity were found in Masovian province and the lowest in the Subcarpathian province. In all provinces surveyed, the incidence of excessive body weight was higher than the prevalence of underweight. Analysis of regional differences in the prevalence of obesity, overweight and underweight in children and adolescents may indicate the direction of national and local actions to reduce inequalities resulting from nutritional status

Effect of 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin on Solubility of Sparingly Soluble Drug Derivatives of Anthranilic Acid

Guest-host complex formation of three drug derivatives of anthranilic acid, mefenamic acid, niflumic acid, and flufenamic acid with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (2HP-β-CD) in aqueous solutions was investigated using “Phase solubility study” with UV-vis spectrophotometry. Solubility of sparingly soluble drugs has been improved by addition of 2HP-β-CD at two temperatures 298.15 K and 310.15 K and two pH values 2 and 7. The influence of different 2HP-β-CD concentration on solubility of drugs at different pH and temperatures has been investigated. The 2HP-β-CD-drug complex stability constants (Ks), and dissociations constants (Kd), as well as the thermodynamic parameters of reaction, i.e., the free energy change (ΔG), the enthalpy change (ΔH) and the entropy change (ΔS), were determined. The experimental data indicated formation of 1:1 inclusion complexes, which were found effective binders increasing the solubility of drugs

Mutations in the von Hippel-Lindau Tumour Suppressor Gene in Central Nervous System Hemangioblastomas

Central nervous system hemangioblastomas (cHAB) are rare tumours which most commonly arise in the cerebellum. Most tumours are sporadic, but as many as one third of cHABs occur in the course of the hereditary disorder - von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL). In order to diagnose new VHL families in Poland we performed sequencing of the entire VHL gene in archival material (paraffin embedded hemangioblastoma tissues) in a large series of 203 unselected patients with cHAB. VHL gene mutations were detected in 70 (41%) of 171 tumour samples from which DNA of relatively good quality was isolated. We were able to obtain blood samples from 19 of mutation positive cases. Eight (42%) of these harboured germline mutations in persons from distinct undiagnosed VHL families

Tetraaza[14]macrocyclic transition metal complexes as DNA intercalators

Six tetraazamacrocyclic copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes have been synthesised and their interactions with double-stranded DNA (calf thymus DNA) have been studied using circular and linear dichroism, as well as other spectroscopic methods. The ability of these complexes to intercalate between DNA base pairs has been demonstrated qualitatively and confirmed by determining the stoichiometry and association constant values; these were found to range from 8.5 × 103 – 2.8 × 104 L mol–1. The nickel(II) complexes, being more electron-deficient, seem to have higher binding abilities than guests containing the copper ion. It has also been shown that not only CD, but also linear dichroism, can be a very useful tool for carrying out qualitative DNA interaction studies

Genetics of human hydrocephalus

Human hydrocephalus is a common medical condition that is characterized by abnormalities in the flow or resorption of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), resulting in ventricular dilatation. Human hydrocephalus can be classified into two clinical forms, congenital and acquired. Hydrocephalus is one of the complex and multifactorial neurological disorders. A growing body of evidence indicates that genetic factors play a major role in the pathogenesis of hydrocephalus. An understanding of the genetic components and mechanism of this complex disorder may offer us significant insights into the molecular etiology of impaired brain development and an accumulation of the cerebrospinal fluid in cerebral compartments during the pathogenesis of hydrocephalus. Genetic studies in animal models have started to open the way for understanding the underlying pathology of hydrocephalus. At least 43 mutants/loci linked to hereditary hydrocephalus have been identified in animal models and humans. Up to date, 9 genes associated with hydrocephalus have been identified in animal models. In contrast, only one such gene has been identified in humans. Most of known hydrocephalus gene products are the important cytokines, growth factors or related molecules in the cellular signal pathways during early brain development. The current molecular genetic evidence from animal models indicate that in the early development stage, impaired and abnormal brain development caused by abnormal cellular signaling and functioning, all these cellular and developmental events would eventually lead to the congenital hydrocephalus. Owing to our very primitive knowledge of the genetics and molecular pathogenesis of human hydrocephalus, it is difficult to evaluate whether data gained from animal models can be extrapolated to humans. Initiation of a large population genetics study in humans will certainly provide invaluable information about the molecular and cellular etiology and the developmental mechanisms of human hydrocephalus. This review summarizes the recent findings on this issue among human and animal models, especially with reference to the molecular genetics, pathological, physiological and cellular studies, and identifies future research directions

Electrocatalytic urea mineralization in aqueous alkaline medium using NiIIcyclam-modified nanoparticulate TiO2 anodes and its relationship with the simultaneous electrogeneration of H2 on Pt counterelectrodes

NiIIcyclam-modified nanoparticulate TiO2-coated ITO electrodes (ITO/TiO2//NiIIcyclam) were prepared by electropolymerization of NiIIcyclam monomers to TiO2-coated ITO electrodes (ITO/TiO2) to improve electrocatalytic urea CO(NH2)2 oxidation in alkaline aqueous solutions. A high value adding secondary effect was the collection of electrons at Pt cathodes, to simultaneously generate H2 from water reduction. NiIIcyclam-modified ITO electrodes (ITO//NiIIcyclam) were also prepared by electropolymerization of NiIIcyclam monomers to bare ITO electrodes (ITO) for comparison purposes. In the presence of the TiO2 nanoparticles, the urea mineralization on NiIIcyclam coatings was doubled (23.95% – organic carbon removal at 120 min of electrolysis) compared to those without TiO2 nanoparticles (13.02% – organic carbon removal at 120 min of electrolysis). In agreement, the faradaic efficiency for H2 generation at the Pt cathode, electrically connected to an anode having TiO2 nanoparticles (0.99 at 120 min of electrolysis), was also twice as effective than that observed when the same Pt cathode was electrically connected to an anode without TiO2 nanoparticles (0.46 at 120 min of electrolysis). The experimental results indicated that the poisoning of NiII centers (which is caused by an excessive production of CO intermediates during the urea oxidation on both NiIIcyclam-modified anodes) was strongly inhibited in the presence of the nanoparticulate TiO2|NiIIcyclam junction. A final comparison between our results and those reported in selected publications revealed that the NiIIcyclam-modified nanoparticulate TiO2-coated ITO anodes here developed, constitutes a promising electrocatalytic system for performing direct urea mineralization at a relative short electrolysis time. Furthermore, the combination of the following phenomena: (a) effective charge separation on the semiconducting ITO|nanoparticulate TiO2 junctions, (b) remarkable capabilities of the nanoporous TiO2 films for tuning the load of OH� anions demanded by the urea oxidation and, (c) outstanding capabilities of the TiO2 nanoparticles for capturing CO intermediates (at Ti3+ donor sites), successfully promoted the enhancement of the electron external transport to Pt cathodes, and consequently improved the faradaic efficiency associated to the cathodic generation of H2

Risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms related to lifestyle and diet

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract. The most characteristic symptom of the disease is heartburn, which occurs at least once a week. The prevalence of the disease varies and, depending on the region of the world, it may affect from a few to over 30% of an adult population. It is estimated that in Poland this disease may affect up to 35.5% of adults reporting abdominal ailments. If untreated, the disease can lead to serious complications including precancerous conditions and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Pharmacotherapy is considered as the first-line treatment in GERD patients but lifestyle modifications, including diet changes, are an important element supporting the treatment of the disease. Many factors may contribute to the development of the disease. Among them, there are non-modifiable factors such as age, sex or genetic factors and modifiable factors, e.g. lifestyle, diet, excessive body weight. This review focuses on GERD risk factors related to lifestyle and nutrition that include both dietary components and nutritional behaviour. Lifestyle risk factors that may contribute to GERD symptoms include excessive body weight, particularly obesity, moderate/high alcohol consumption, smoking, postprandial and vigorous physical activity, as well as lack of regular physical activity. Many studies indicate fatty, fried, sour, spicy food/products, orange and grapefruit juice, tomatoes and tomato preserves, chocolate, coffee/tea, carbonated beverages, alcohol as triggers for GERD symptoms. Eating habits such as irregular meal pattern, large volume of meals, eating meals just before bedtime may correlate with the symptoms of GERD. The role of lifestyle, diet and eating habits as risk factors for GERD is not clearly understood, and the results of the available studies are often contradictory. Determination of modifiable risk factors for this disease and its symptoms is important for effective dietary prevention and diet therapy of GERD